UK Ministry of Defence,
The development of the US missile defence system will enhance the collective security of the UK and Europe, Defence Secretary Des Browne said yesterday, Wednesday 25 July 2007.
Mr Browne made the comments as he told Parliament the Government has agreed to a United States request for RAF Menwith Hill to be used as part of the American missile defence system. He also said that the radar upgrade at RAF Fylingdales, started in 2003 by the US, is now complete.
The work at RAF Menwith Hill will both support the existing joint UK-US missile warning mission and also enable satellite data to be passed into the new US missile defence system. Mr Browne said:
“Missile defence systems are just that – defensive. They are not for offensive use and by supporting American efforts in this area, both through scientific cooperation and by allowing the use of facilities in the UK, we are helping to build future protection for our citizens.
“The UK will continue to work bilaterally with the US and with NATO allies to explore the possibilities of a NATO missile defence system that could build on US efforts in this area.”
On 5 February 2003, the then Secretary of State for Defence, Geoff Hoon, made a statement to Parliament announcing the Government's agreement to a request from the U.S. Government to upgrade the Ballistic Missile Early Warning System at RAF Fylingdales. The upgrade of the early warning system at RAF Fylingdales is now complete and the new equipment is expected to operate from this summer.
The receiving antenna equipment already exists at RAF Menwith Hill and the installation of communications hardware is the only additional work required. This will take place inside an existing building. The data provided by equipment at both sites is shared between the Ministry of Defence and U.S. military authorities.
RAF Fylingdales and RAF Menwith Hill simply feed essential tracking information into the US system. Both sites remain under UK command. There are no plans to site interceptor missiles in the UK.
