‘DEFENSELESS’: Former Military Chiefs Say Britain Is Vulnerable to Iranian Missiles in the Event of an Attack, Has To Rely on the US
Having no air defenses against ballistic or hypersonic missiles is a bad way to be these days.
It’s now becoming clear why failing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer delayed confirmation of the Iranian ballistic missile strikes against the UK-US airbase in Diego Garcia, in their first confirmed use of long-range ballistic missiles.
The reason is that the island is roughly 2,500 miles away from Iran, which means that Iranian missiles now have the ability to reach most of Europe, including London.
If that was not worrying enough, reports have arisen, quoting former military chiefs, that Britain ‘is defenseless’ against a potential Iranian missile attack.
The IDF has published a map showing the range of Iranian missiles following the attack on a U.S. and UK base in the Indian Ocean.
Nearly all of Europe is within range. pic.twitter.com/4q95aABZWd
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) March 22, 2026
The Telegraph reported:
“One senior defense source with knowledge of the UK’s integrated air defense systems warned that Britain would struggle to fend off such a long-range bombardment. […] ‘It’s woeful… combating ballistic missiles are long-learned skill sets – and the UK’s set of those skills is, sadly, very, very low’.”
‘We hope there are missile defence systems in place, that said, the Government can’t take out the bins properly so you never know.’
David Patrikarakos on the threat from Iran amid reports they have the capability to strike Britain. pic.twitter.com/aqrazogo9Z
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 22, 2026
The air defenses have been degraded by a lack of investment.
And worse, the existing capabilities (naval frigates) are in port and not loaded, not ready for interception, so a surprise missile strike renders them ineffective.
The HMS Dragon is protecting the airbase in Cyprus – but who is protecting the mainland?
“[Former air vice-marshal Sean Bell] said: ‘Unless a Type 45 happened to be sailing by, and it is unlikely to be in the right place at the time, the fact remains we have no missile defense against ballistic missiles in this country’.
The UK has no ground-based air defense system capable of intercepting ballistic or hypersonic missiles. The Army’s seven batteries of Sky Sabre missile systems are built primarily to intercept fast jets, attack helicopters and laser-guided missiles.”
‘Israel would say that, becasue it wants to draw other countries into its war of choice against Iran… There is no evidence Iran is going to directly attack Britain.’
Jonathan Lis on Israel’s insistence Iran has missiles capable of reaching Britain. pic.twitter.com/m1LzOtf0WE
— GB News (@GBNEWS) March 22, 2026
So, take a guess as to who the UK will have to rely upon: yes, on the United States of America.
“America has a number of Aegis Ashore missile defense systems deployed across Romania and Poland. Four Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, based in Spain, also operate SM-3 interceptors, which could destroy ballistic munitions.”
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