“This operation was a first of its kind for U.K. Space Command and represents a significant increase in operational capability,” said Royal Air Force Maj. Gen. Paul Tedman, U.K. Space Command commander. “Expertly executed with U.S. Space Command, I could not be more pleased or proud of the rapid progress we are making with our allies in Multinational Force – Operation Olympic Defender. We are now, with our allies, conducting advanced orbital operations to protect and defend our shared national and military interests in space.”
The interoperability between the U.S. and U.K. extends into space through longstanding security cooperation, information sharing and joint exercises. The U.K. was one of the first nations to join the U.S.-led coalition, designed to unify combined space operations in the event of conflict, with the coordinated manoeuvre marking further progress in the Olympic Defender framework.
“This coordinated maneuver between two allies validated the interoperability that’s foundational to our collective defense,” said Space Force Lt. Gen. Douglas Schiess, commander of U.S. Space Forces-Space and Spacecom’s Combined Joint Force Space Component Command. “The confirmation of the [Multinational Force]’s combined military might on-orbit delivers a credible deterrent in the increasingly contested space domain.”
Schiess highlighted that no nation can achieve its objectives in space alone and described cooperation as essential in managing the congested and complex space environment. Joint efforts, he said, provide readiness for major engagements and help ensure safe and responsible orbital operations.
“The success of this multidomain operation represents the warfighting advantage realized by employing our capabilities and expertise as one unified team,” said Space Force Gen. Stephen Whiting, commander of Spacecom and Olympic Defender. “Though our opponents may attempt to replicate the value of such cooperation, our partnerships are uniquely defined by not only the mutual goal of deterring aggression but a shared pledge to fight and win shoulder to shoulder, if necessary.”
