Barrow could be a target for Russian missiles, according to a major national newspaper, as defence experts warn that Britain would not have the capability to protect all potential targets.
Alongside locations like London, Portsmouth, RAF Brize Norton, RAF Lossiemouth, His Majesty’s Naval Base Clyde (Faslane), defence sources believe Barrow is one of Russia’s top potential targets to strike in the event of war, according to The Sunday Times.
Barrow is home to BAE Systems' submarine shipyard, which builds vessels that carry Britain's nuclear deterrent.
The newspaper stated that Russia has an array of long-range hypersonic and ballistic missiles that are estimated to be capable of hitting Britain, even from Russian territory in the east.
However, if the deadly weapons were launched from what is known as the Arctic High North, or even ships in nearby waters, more assets, such as attack drones, would be able to strike British cities and military bases.
There are also fears that British politicians would have to choose which locations to protect in the event of air strikes targeting several locations at once, due to Britain’s limited air defence capabilities.
Talking in The Sunday Times, Greg Bagwell, an ex-air marshal in the RAF, said: “If Britain came under a sustained attack that targeted multiple different sites, we don’t have the assets to defend everywhere.
“We would need to decide which site to protect and which to leave exposed.”
The warning in the Sunday newspaper comes after John Healey resigned as Defence Secretary last week.
Mr Healey blamed his resignation on No. 10 and the Treasury’s reported stubbornness to provide extra funding for defence.
The MP for Rawmarsh and Conisbrough said he was being ‘forced’ into making decisions that ‘could make the country less safe’ due to the lack of funding for his department.
He stated that the long-delayed Defence Investment Plan (DIP), which is set to lay out the government’s future spending on defence, ‘falls well short of what is required’, and as a result, he offered the prime minister his resignation.
Michelle Scrogham, Labour MP for Barrow and Furness, said she was ‘concerned’ Mr Healey had ‘been forced’ into resignation and pleaded with the government to ‘properly fund’ the delayed DIP.
Mrs Scrogham said: “As a member of the Defence Committee, I have been calling for a proper debate about the threats we face as a nation, and the need to face up to those.
“Defence is always cheaper than war, and we need to make those tough choices going forward.”
In response to Mr Healey’s resignation, a government source said: “The Defence Investment Plan will deliver the capability our armed forces need.
“We will always do what is right, and needed, to keep the country safe.”
