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DEFENCE Secretary Grant Shapps has recently stated that Britain is in talks with its allies in the European Union (EU) to join its new Sky Shield air defence system, according to reports.
The Sky Shield plan could include missiles like the Patriot from the US, Arrow-3s of Israel, and IRIS-Ts of Germany, reported The Sun, adding that the missiles will be deployed in the UK to protect against hostile projectiles, including drones.
The Defence Secretary, however, dismissed calls from some MPs to buy Israel’s Iron Dome defence technology and said the Europe Sky Shield talks were “in early stages”, the report added.
There are 21 countries which have signed up for the European Sky Shield Initiative. Among these are also the traditionally neutral country of Switzerland. There were indications towards such deployment in a statement following the meeting of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on April 24.
“We will also develop our cooperation in air defence, including through the European Sky Shield Initiative, the Diamond Initiative, and through NATO Multi-National Procurement Initiatives,” said the official statement issued after the April meeting.
The UK and EU are strengthening and updating their defence preparedness following the ongoing war in Ukraine and the NATO’s continuing standoff with Russia. “Our commitment to NATO and the security of all Allies is unshakable,” the statement had mentioned.
