MoD Information

MoD deny US bases increase UK risk

Tue, December 10, 2002

Source: Ananova

MoD has rejected claims that the use of UK bases in US "Son of Star Wars" missile defence system would make the UK a target for possible attack.

MoD denies US bases increase UK missile attack risk

The Ministry of Defence has rejected claims that the use of British bases in America's planned "Son of Star Wars" missile defence system would make the UK a target for possible attack. 

Political commentators say it is a further sign of the Government's growing support for missile defence.  A MoD discussion paper says the use of the early warning station at RAF Fylingdales in North Yorkshire would help defend against a missile attack from the Middle East.  Although there was "no immediate significant threat" to the UK of a missile attack, it said there was a "serious cause for concern" that such states as Iraq, Iran, North Korea and Libya already had, or were seeking, to acquire a ballistic missile capability.  "Keeping a low profile and hoping for the best is not an option. Safety lies through recognising threats as they arise and taking proactive steps to address them," the paper said. 

It dismissed arguments that Fylingdales would itself become a target if the Government gave the go ahead for the base to be used as part of the missile defence system - one of the main concerns of opponents of the scheme.  "A strike to 'blind' the West could be contemplated only by a power with an extensive and highly sophisticated ballistic missile capability. It would presuppose a sizeable arsenal, to be able to assign missiles to a preparatory or path-clearing role," it said.  It argued that the use of Fylingdales would strengthen the ability to defend Europe against a missile attack launched from the Middle East. 

Initial US plans were for a Pacific based system, aimed predominantly at the threat from North Korea, with the interceptor missiles, which would be used to shoot down an incoming ballistic missile, based at Fort Greely in Alaska.  "This initial system would only have a limited capability against a possible Middle East threat," the paper said. The additional warning time provided by RAF Fylingdales for a Middle East threat is very substantial."