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Conservatives pledge £10bn 'Britannia Shield' air defence system published at 07:02 BST Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The UK's existing Sky Sabre air defence system, seen in 2022 at the Royal Artillery's change of colours parade at Baker Barracks, Thorney Island The Conservatives have pledged to invest £10bn in a new missile and drone defence system to defend the UK if they win the next general election. The party says the so-called "Britannia Shield" would provide an integrated network of radar, command and control systems, as well as interceptor missiles. Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge is expected to describe the pledge as "the most significant upgrade to UK air defence for generations" when he delivers a speech at the Conservative Party conference later today.
The Tories have described their plans as "a British 'Iron Dome'" - a reference to Israel's air defence system. The party says it will be capable of defending the UK's critical national infrastructure, military bases and sovereign territories from sophisticated threats. But Defence Secretary Wes Streeting has said the Tories had an "abysmal record" of defending Britain during their 14 years in power, adding: "They owe Britain an apology, not another lecture." You can read more here.
Badenoch speaks to media as Tories to set out plans for new air defence system published at 06:58 BST Image source, EPA/Shutterstock Kemi Badenoch is kicking off day three of the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham with a morning media run. The opposition leader has vowed her party is renewed and different from the one that lost the 2024 general election in a historic defeat. There has been a flurry of new policy announcements from the Tories in recent days, including scrapping the £100,000 net income threshold on free childcare, building an extra 50,000 prison places, and new work requirements for under-25s claiming benefits.
The party is also set to share more details about their plan to invest £10bn in a new missile and drone defence system - the so-called "Britannia Shield". We'll have more on this policy in our next post. Badenoch will be speaking to BBC Breakfast at 07:30 BST, and to Radio 4's Today programme at 08:10 Stay with us as we bring you key lines and developments - you will also be able to watch her interview at the top of this page
Source: bbc.co.uk
