Former defense secretary warns UK cannot counter Iran missile threat

Former British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace warned on Monday that the United Kingdom is currently unable to defend against long-range Iranian missiles and accused government ministers of downplaying the threat amid the ongoing conflict between Iran, the United States, and Israel.

Speaking on Times Radio, Wallace said officials had tried to play down the risk of Iranian missiles reaching the UK. “A minister appeared on your show trying to play down that any ranges within the United Kingdom were unrealistic. That's not correct,” he said.

Wallace highlighted advances in Iranian missile technology, particularly the Salman rocket motor, which Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) developed for satellite launch vehicles but which can also extend missile ranges.

“The Iranians took two boosters, Salman boosters, from the space program, added them to their existing missiles, and have now been able to produce missiles with ranges that could hit Britain in the future,” he said.

Asked whether Britain could intercept such missiles, Wallace replied bluntly: “No, we wouldn't, not at the moment.”

He also criticized government funding decisions that have limited the availability of Type 45 destroyers, the Royal Navy’s main anti-air and missile defense ships.

“The type 45s that could potentially shoot down ballistic missiles were not available… because the government has had to find extra money from the availability and operating budget of the armed forces. That’s all their decision,” Wallace said.

Despite their capabilities, Type 45 destroyers’ operational availability has been constrained by reduced fleet numbers, maintenance issues, and budgetary pressures, limiting the UK’s ability to counter emerging missile threats.

He stressed the need for public awareness and preparedness, drawing comparisons to Cold War-era planning.

“It’s the bigger point. It’s the point about this readiness … leveling with the public that we're going to have to think differently. Ex-soldiers like me, who would have been a reservist, would have been called up. All of that discussion needs to happen with the public.”

Wallace’s warnings come as Iran retaliates against US and Israeli strikes that began Feb. 28, killing more than 1,400 people, including the then-Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Tehran has targeted Israel and US bases in the Middle East, including Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf countries hosting American forces, causing casualties, infrastructure damage, and disrupting global markets and aviation.

“The point is that technology is moving, ranges are growing, and the UK has to be honest with itself and with the public about what we can and cannot defend against.

“We cannot simply assume allies will always be able to cover gaps that exist because of shortfalls in our own capabilities,” Wallace said.

The former defense secretary served from July 2019 to September 2022 under Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and, briefly, Liz Truss.