Britain vulnerable to E-bomb attack, experts to warn

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.

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


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.

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.

“One of the challenges we face, particularly at a time of limited resources, is to make the case for spending on defence and security solutions that cannot readily be seen by the public – that cannot be shown off on the parade ground – that could be digital, not necessarily physical,” Mr Hammond is expected to say.

US Assistant Defence Secretary Paul Stockton is due to speak alongside Mr Hammond at the event, which will also discuss the threat of a natural attack such as a solar flare.

A powerful EMP attack could disable electronic systems and bring the country to a standstill. Earlier this month, Ministry of Defence officials warned some form of an E-bomb could already be in the hands of terrorists or rogue states.

The Commons Defence Select Committee has warned the Government is not taking the threat seriously enough. Their report in February warned weapons detonated up to 500 miles above the Earth could generate an EMP strong enough to take out satellites, radar and the National Grid with 'devastating' results.

Key military installations, transport systems, power and water supplies would also be hit.

But despite the risk the Government appeared 'complacent' and 'unwilling to take the threats seriously', it said.

This week’s conference is being hosted by the US-based Electric Infrastructure and Security Council (EIS) and the Henry Jackson Society.

Avi Schnurr, the chief executive officer of EIS and a White House adviser on the issue, said: “The UK, the US and other allies are increasingly at risk from both malicious and natural e-threats.

“We are beginning to realise that, unfortunately, all our societal eggs are in one fragile electric basket, and we are not sufficiently protecting ourselves.

“We have become potential victims of our own technical advancement. The evolution of national electric grids and key infrastructure components means that we are more vulnerable to EMP than ever before.”

He added: “Based on reports by the UK Parliament, the US Congress, NASA, the US Department of Energy and many other agencies, the infrastructures our lives and our economies depend on have become so fragile that a hostile EMP attack or a severe solar flare could damage or destroy them on continental scales, severely disrupting electricity, water supply, transportation and communication – for months, or even years.

Dr Alan Mendoza, executive director of the Henry Jackson Society, said: “Whether through natural or terrorist-inspired means, the nightmare scenario of an EMP incident affecting the UK is almost too chilling to contemplate.”

SOURCE: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/law-and-order/9260817/Britain-vulnerable-to-E-bomb-attack-experts-to-warn.html