UK ‘needs an Iron Dome’ after wake-up call of Iranian attack on Israel

Justin Crump, chief executive of geopolitical risk firm Sibylline, said: “The UK is playing catch-up in the face of threats, not least due to having enjoyed air supremacy in conflicts since the end of the Cold War.

“Air and missile defence of the homeland has been seen as a lower priority.”

“You rarely get the war you planned or hoped for, and in an increasingly turbulent world contingencies have to be in place,” he added.

However, in the wake of conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, there have been increasing calls for a review of Britain’s approach to air defence.

Mr Francois said a recent request to Ministry of Defence officials for extra investment in a national air defence system was rebuffed.

“Given what just happened over Israel, that now looks like an extremely poor decision,” he said.

Sky Sabre, which replaced the UK’s Rapier air defence system, is Britain’s only medium-range, ground-based air defence system.