UK RAF using lasers, jammers to temporarily blind enemy satellites as government says GPS loss could cost UK economy £10 billion a week

The Royal Air Force (RAF) has been employing ground-based electronic warfare technology to temporarily disable hostile satellites for the past year. This capability involves using powerful electronic signals and lasers to disrupt satellite communications and navigation, thereby preventing adversaries from tracking British military assets, such as nuclear-armed submarines. The RAF's terrestrial electronic warfare system is regarded as world-leading, having been utilized for about a year against potential threats.

Defence officials assert that this technology could be employed when hostile satellites attempt to monitor military activities or track strategic assets, protecting Britain from possible interference. The significance of this capability is increasing as military forces rely heavily on satellites for communications, surveillance, navigation, and other operations.

In May 2026, British forces reportedly tracked five Russian satellites approaching two Finnish commercial satellites, while Russian satellite activity has been linked to GPS disruptions across Europe and Canada.

Britain operates a limited number of military satellites for surveillance and communication purposes, working closely with the United States Space Force. The ground-based electronic warfare system provides Britain with an additional means of countering hostile spacecraft that threaten military activities. Furthermore, the RAF has established a dedicated Space Effects Squadron to defend British space assets against hostile actions and associated threats, focusing on disrupting, degrading, and denying such threats against British space capabilities that support critical military functions such as missile warning, communications, and navigation.

The government's concerns extend beyond military operations due to the potential impact on the British economy. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting warned that losing GPS services could cost the economy approximately £1.4 billion daily, amounting to roughly £10 billion weekly if disruptions persisted at the same level. Everyday services, including weather forecasting, energy systems, financial transactions, satellite navigation, and mobile communications, rely on satellite services.

Consequently, a prolonged loss of satellite services could adversely affect businesses and public services far beyond defense operations. The United States has confirmed the deployment of an unspecified weapon in space to protect its satellites, while Russia and China have criticized this move. The U.S. accuses both countries of developing space-based weapons, including electronic jammers, lasers, and projectiles designed to interfere with or damage satellites.