Only Type 45 based in Thames could defend London from ballistic missile, warns MP

The capability gap in Britain's air defences will form a key part of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review, a defence minister has said.

The mismatch between the UK's current defence systems and the range of dangers it faces was highlighted by MPs during a cross-party debate in Parliament.

The Westminster Hall session was brought forward by Labour's Luke Akehurst as he outlined the strength of Israel's defences against a range of projectiles compared with the UK's.

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Mr Akehurst said: "The only defence the UK currently has against ballistic missiles is Sea Viper, which utilises Aster 30 missiles on our six Type 45 destroyers."

The sole reliance on one system, which is due to be upgraded over the next decade, is a major concern.

He added: "With only a few Type 45s in service at any one time, the coverage they can provide in defence of homeland targets against ballistic missile threats is limited.

"To defend London against ballistic missile threats, a Type 45 destroyer would have to be permanently moored in the Thames estuary.

"That would mean it could not do anything else.

"In particular, it would be unavailable for its primary role of protecting one of our aircraft carriers from air and missile threats."

Shadow defence secretary James Cartlidge said it would be the threat of a retaliatory strike, and not missile defence, that would deter a Russian attack.

However, he said he wanted to see a response to tackle the reported ballistic missile threat from the Iranian-backed Houthis.

"We may even have to consider an urgent operational requirement, for example, for the SM3, which is a US missile that they have on the Arleigh Burke [class of US warship] which can intercept ballistic threats," Mr Cartlidge said.

"I believe [the missiles] could go in our Mark 41 launchers when our Type 26 and Type 31 start entering the sea. We're going to have to think like this."

In response, Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle said air and missile defence would be a focus of the Government's Strategic Defence Review, which is expected in the spring.

The Sea Viper missile system on board Royal Navy Type 45 destroyers is one of the world's most advanced and powerful air defence weapons.

The missiles were used by HMS Diamond to repel drone attacks by the Iranian-backed Houthis during her deployment to the Red Sea.