Salisbury poisonings, political cyber-attacks and malicious spyware. It seems modern threats on UK soil are evolving in nature, moving away from the world war II threat of human spy agents, and gravitating towards more cyber and chemical dangers.
In response to rising international political tensions, the UK government has introduced its biggest increase in defence spending since the Cold War. By April 2027, funding is promised to reach 2.5% of Britain’s Gross Domestic Product, GDP (total market value). The hope is to create a central Military Strategic Headquarters which successfully integrates all five domains of Britain’s defence: maritime, air, land, cyber and space.
So, how does the UK choose its response to state threats?
Gathering intelligence on forthcoming threats is the first and most important stage to a nation’s response. Information on suspicious activity can decide the severity of the threat, deciding the most suitable protocol to engage. Accurate intelligence can be the difference between a law enforcement approach, or deployment of military capabilities.
The government houses three intelligence agencies for national protection. MI5 is responsible for monitoring and responding to internal and external threats to the UK through counter-terrorism. Whilst MI6, Secret Intelligence Service, uses human intelligence sources (HUMINT) such as undercover field agents, to gather information on a foreign state’s activity or intentions. Government Communications Headquarters (GCHQ) analyses digital data like emails and phone calls from overseas.
Although HUMINT is one of the oldest and most nuanced ways of gathering intel, it is an incredibly dangerous feat if caught by a state. Espionage, colloquially known as spying, is illegal in most countries according to their domestic laws, and consequences can include torture, and even being sentenced to death. The Official Secrets Act established in 1911, criminalises the unauthorised disclosure of state information from the UK, and has since been updated in 2023 to the National Security Act to involve theft of trade secrets, foreign interference in the political system, and cyber hacking.
So if HUMINT is illegal, where does aerial espionage fit into all of this?
International law suggests that the use of satellites for surveillance is generally considered okay, as space belongs in the hands of mankind, transcending political borders. No international laws prohibit espionage on other countries using aircraft. This is because implementing laws could go against a nation’s ‘right to self-defence’ laid out in the UN charter. However, as we’ve seen, following domestic laws are crucial in keeping intelligence officers safe.
“Britain’s science and research expertise has always played a role in keeping us safe, and still does: from inventions like radar and codebreaking machines in the 20th century, through to innovations around drone technology and cybersecurity, today.” Peter Kyle, Science and Tech Secretary
Britian’s Royal Air Force (RAF) uses spy drones and modified aircrafts to gather signals intelligence (SIGINT) and imagery intelligence (IMINT) of foreign state movements from the sky. These missions involve discrete surveillance of particular targets using covert sensors and positioning a couple miles out from target locations to avoid exposing the aircraft.
The RC-135W Rivet Joint is at the global forefront of intelligence aircrafts – with three of the world’s twenty Rivet Joints based at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire. The highly modified 135ft long Boeing aircraft detects, identifies and geolocates signals through the electromagnetic spectrum, making it able to intercept military communications in real-time. Intelligence operators and electronic warfare officers work onboard to quickly analyse and disseminate high priority information to commanders on the ground using cryptanalysis and traffic analysis to uncover the identity and intentions behind the signals.
Spy drones like the MQ-9 Reaper are unmanned aerial vehicles capable of being flown remotely from thousands of miles away via. satellite link. A ground crew consisting of a pilot, missions intelligence operator and sensor operator fly the drone from cargo-like containers based in RAF Waddington. The Reaper specialises in IMINT with a multi-spectral targeting system combining electro-optical cameras, thermal and infrared cameras to monitor activity of organised crime groups, terrorist organisations or military operations. The drone has a long endurance flight span of up to 30 hours and is equipped with an electric jamming pod to disrupt malicious communications.
The Shadow R1 is a smaller, tactile surveillance aircraft based in RAF Akrotiri, Cyprus and combines both IMINT and SIGINT. Flown by a two-person crew, the aircraft downloads and offloads information during surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
Together with government intelligence agencies, information is analysed and combined to form intelligence reports to be given to the Ministry of Justice, or allied nations; guiding the nation’s response to potential threats.
Usually classified, it’s suspected that the UK has revealed information of intelligence operations to make a statement to hostile nations and attempt to increase the public’s trust in national security. However, following a recent exposé on Shadow R1’s flight analysis, concerns are raised around Britain’s complicity in the Israel-Gaza conflict as over 500 surveillance flights have been sent to Gaza, even after Israel broke the ceasefire. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has accused the Israeli government of genocide and issued arrest warrants for Israeli prime minister and former defence minister.
While the UK invests more into its air defence technology in hopes of tightening the security of the nation, its extensive monitoring activities over Gaza raise considerable concerns surrounding how the intelligence is used. What does this all mean for the future of the UK’s integrity?
