The Conservative Party has announced plans for a £10 billion air and missile defence system for the UK, with the proposed programme dubbed “Britannia Shield.”

The plan was unveiled at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham on 6 October. The party says the system would combine advanced radar, upgraded command systems, interceptor missiles and counter-drone technology.

The Conservatives say the programme would be funded through their wider commitment to increase UK defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030. They propose an initial deployable capability within five years, followed by further improvements and larger missile stockpiles.

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch initially described the system as being modelled on Israel's Iron Dome, but later stressed that the proposed British system would not simply replicate Israel's defence network. The party says Britain's requirements would be different because of the country's geography and security environment.

The proposal comes as governments across Europe increase attention on drone and missile defence, particularly following the changing nature of warfare and the growing use of low-cost unmanned systems.

The UK Government already has plans to increase defence spending, with its Defence Investment Plan targeting almost £80 billion a year by 2029 and putting the country on a trajectory toward 3% of GDP in the next Parliament.

The Conservative proposal therefore puts UK defence spending, air security and military technology at the centre of political debate as parties outline their approaches to national security.