Ellwood warns UK is ‘vulnerable’ to a Russia missile attack – London Business News | Londonlovesbusiness.com

Tobias Ellwood the former Defence Secretary has issued a warning shot to the government that the UK is “vulnerable” to a Russian missile attack.

Ellwood who is the former chairman of the parliamentary defence committee warned the “threat looks far more hostile.”

He said that Vladimir Putin’s long-range cruise missiles could hit the UK within 30 minutes and warned that Russian warplanes have increased their aggression, meaning an attack is more likely on British soil.

Writing in the Daily Mail Ellwood said, “As a former defence minister on the duty roster, I had to approve take off on more than one occasion – usually in response to Russian aircraft buzzing in our airspace. Today, the air threat looks far more hostile, complex and unpredictable.”

Should the UK come under attack then the Quick Reaction Alert operation (QRA), involving RAF Typhoons would be scrambled to intercept Russian missiles, warning that this alone will not keep Britain safe from an attack.

Ellwood added, “The latest generation of long-range missiles now travel faster (moving to hypersonic speeds), often on a parabola that takes them to the edge of space. In salvos, that would simply overwhelm any aircraft response.

“London is now vulnerable, as is every other city in the UK along with critical infrastructure such as airports and nuclear power stations.”