LFI today publishes an updated edition of its policy paper, UK-Israel Aerial Defence Collaboration: Towards a British “Iron Shield”, with a new introduction by Air Vice-Marshal Philip Lester CBE, who served 40 years in the Royal Air Force, holding a series of high-ranking positions. The Air Vice Marshall’s call for greater collaboration was covered in the Sunday Telegraph.
Lester writes that Israel’s integrated air and missile defence systems, encompassing the Iron Dome, David’s Sling, the Arrow system and the emerging Iron Beam, offer vital lessons for Britain as it confronts an evolving threat from Russia and Iran. He suggests: “The historic relationship between the United Kingdom and Israel provides a strong foundation upon which to build. Over many years, the two countries have collaborated in intelligence sharing, technological development and defence innovation …. [but the] relationship has not always been leveraged to its full potential, particularly in the defence and security sphere. Re-energising the UK–Israel defence dialogue is therefore essential. This should include a renewed focus on lesson-learning, ensuring that insights from Israel’s operational experience are systematically incorporated into UK doctrine and planning.”
Lester warns: “Defence cooperation must be approached in a pragmatic and forward-looking manner. While broader political considerations will always play a role in international relations, there is a strong case for ensuring that collaboration in critical areas such as air defence, intelligence and capability development is not unduly constrained.”
The paper, first published in November 2024, has been revised in light of the US-Israeli air campaign against Iran and Iran’s widespread retaliation. Tehran has fired over 600 missiles at Israel and more than 1,000 missiles and nearly 4,000 UAVs across the wider region, striking 14 countries. Ninety percent of those fired at Israel were intercepted, an improvement of at least five percent on the previous exchange last summer, demonstrating the battle-tested effectiveness of Israel’s multilayered aerial defence architecture.
The conflict has brought the growing aerial threat to Britain and its allies into sharp focus. Iran has directly targeted UK interests in the region, including a drone strike on RAF Akrotiri and a ballistic missile attack on the joint UK-US base at Diego Garcia. The anti-west Iran-Russia alliance has been on full view since the conflict began, with the Kremlin’s threats to the UK continuing to escalate.
The paper recommends that the government:
- Formalise a UK-Israel Defence Dialogue chaired at ministerial level;
- Restore and expand professional military exchanges;
- Establish a dedicated Aerial Defence Dialogue between the Ministry of Defence and Israel’s Missile Defence Organisation;
- Explore assets used and tested by Israel to defend the state and its civilians, which offer best practise considerations for UK armed forces.
