Britain ‘wouldn’t be able to take out an Iranian missile’, warns ex-defence secretary Ben Wallace – as Labour ‘shelves plans to put UK industries on a war footing until 2027’
A former defense secretary has chillingly warned that Britain will not be able to defend itself against an Iranian missile.
Ben Wallace, who was in charge of the Ministry of Defense between 2019 and 2023, lashed out at Labor ministers for ‘trying to downplay’ the threat posed by Tehran.
Iran targeted the joint US-UK military base in the Chagos Islands last month as part of a retaliatory action against American and Israeli attacks.
Two ballistic missiles were fired at the strategically vital base on Diego Garcia, the largest of the Indian Ocean islands, but one failed and one was shot down.
Israel later claimed that Iran was trying to develop missiles that could reach Europe, such as London, Paris and Berlin.
The government insisted there was ‘no specific assessment’ that Iran was targeting Britain or had long-range missiles capable of reaching London.
However, Sir Ben stated that it was ‘not correct’ to state that Iran could not hit the UK, and called on ministers to ‘act at the same level as the public’ regarding the UK facing a Cold War-like scenario.
He added that the UK could not defend itself against an Iranian attack ‘right now’ and also criticized the delay in Labour’s plan to put Britain on a ‘war footing’.
Missiles fired from Iran towards Israel were seen in the skies of Jerusalem on Monday
Ben Wallace, who was in charge of the Ministry of Defense between 2019 and 2023, lashed out at Labor ministers for ‘trying to underestimate’ the threat posed by Tehran
“I give an example of a threat that the government doesn’t want you to know about or talk about,” Sir Ben told Times Radio.
‘A few weeks ago you reported that the Iranians had fired two missiles at Diego Garcia and then a minister appeared on your show to try to show that any range in the UK was unrealistic.
‘This is not true. The Iranians have added two thrusters from the space program, the Salman thrusters, to their existing missiles and are now able to produce missiles with a range that can hit the UK in the future.
‘And if it’s not Iran, the point is that range technology now allows ranges to grow.’
Asked whether the UK could destroy a missile fired at the UK from Iran, Sir Ben replied: ‘No, we can’t do that right now.’
The former Conservative Cabinet minister also addressed reports that proposals to put Britain’s critical infrastructure and industries on war footing have been postponed until at least next year.
The Defense Preparedness Bill, which Labor previously promised would ‘come in early 2026’, aims to improve the preparedness of key industries and give the Government the power to mobilize industry in the event of a conflict breaking out.
The legislation was recommended by the Strategic Defense Review last year, but The Times reported that it was an unexpected feature of the King’s Speech, which will set the agenda for the next session of Parliament next month.
Sir Ben said: ‘I’m not saying everything would have been perfect if my government had stayed in power. Like hell.
‘I’d probably still be fighting with successive chancellors and prime ministers for more funding.
‘But you can’t stop the upward momentum because if you do, you’ll be unable to defend yourself. But that’s the bigger point.
‘That’s the whole point of this. [Defence] The Preparatory Bill – it puts the public on notice that we need to think differently, to think in some areas like the Cold War era when we all had… every county council had a nuclear bunker.
‘Everyone was prepared, civil society was prepared. Old soldiers like me would be reserves and would be called up.
‘All these discussions need to be held together with the public.’
Tan Dhesi, Labor chairman of the House of Commons Defense Select Committee, said the delay in the Defense Preparedness Bill was similar to the wait for the defense investment plan, a long-delayed plan that will determine how the armed forces will order new equipment for war.
The senior Labor MP said repeated delays risked ‘sending damaging signals to enemies and allies’.
Mr Dhesi added: ‘In this age of geopolitical tension and conflict, the Department of Defense needs to start moving much, much faster.’
James Cartlidge, the Conservative shadow defense secretary, said it showed ‘Labour’s hesitancy and delay in defending has gone from bad to worse’.
He added: ‘At a time when there is war on multiple fronts and our enemies are rearming at an alarming rate, Labor is moving too slowly.’
A Government spokesman said: ‘National security is our first duty and we have the resources we need to protect the UK from attack, whether from home or abroad.
‘We are continually hardening and sharpening our approach to homeland security, fueled by the largest sustained increase in defense spending since the end of the Cold War; This enables the UK to respond well to the threats we face.
‘We do not comment on speculation regarding the King’s Speech.’
