Monday, May 14, 2012

Is Britain Vulnerable To An E-Bomb Attack

A Russian Topol-12M mobile nuclear missile. In the worst case scenario, a nuclear missile could be fired in to space that would release a pulse large enough to paralyse Britain’s infrastructure, defence experts will warn today. Photo: REUTERS

Britain Vulnerable To E-Bomb Attack, Experts To Warn -- The Telegraph

Britain needs to spend money on building defences against an “E-bomb” that would explode in the upper atmosphere and knock out all electronic communication and power, the Defence Secretary will say today.

Phillip Hammond will tell a conference that money needs to be spent on defences that “cannot be seen on the parade ground.”

Dependence on electronic networks “creates vulnerability” he will say, adding that the response cannot be based on “infantry, or jet planes or destroyers.”

There is an increasing possibility that a rogue state could use an “E-bomb” that would release a devastating electromagnetic pulse (EMP), experts will tell a two-day conference in London.

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My Comment: Britain has other more pressing concerns to spend money on than spending money (that they do not have) on a threat that may (or may not) exist.

Update: Electromagnetic pulses in history -- The Telegraph

1 comment:

D.Plowman said...

Bit of a head scratcher this one, because of the timing and the so called 'need' to invest. It's a head scratcher because Mr Hammond should know, at least I hope he knows, that there is no viable means of defending against such an attack other than intercepting the said missile.

Not even the US has any viable defenses against an EMP attack, not that I'm aware of anyhow. Also, a rogue state would, if conducting such an attack, would most likely disregard an EMP attack and strike to go for a all-out impact, rather than relying on the untested area of the effectiveness of an EMP blast and risk failure...

So, it is clear that the Defence Secretary is in a world of his own on this issue and needs to re-organise his priorities.