UK to deploy drone swarms after Brexit

LONDON: Britain on Monday (Tuesday in Manila) announced plans for “swarm squadrons” of drones that could overwhelm enemy air defenses as part of a series of plans to “enhance its lethality” after Brexit.

In a hawkish speech in London, Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson said leaving the European Union was an opportunity for Britain “when we must strengthen our global presence.”

Williamson announced plans to invest £7 million (8 million euros, $9 million) in the drones, saying he expected squadrons “capable of confusing and overwhelming enemy air defenses” to be ready by the end of 2019.

Williamson also said Britain would spend £65 million in “offensive cyber,” and bring two new naval vessels into service for operations from crisis support

Opposition parties criticised Williamson’s rhetoric. “The idea that our membership of the European Union restricts us is the purest nonsense,” Labor member of parliament (MP) Chris Leslie said.

“In fact the economic damage that Brexit threatens is what will most quickly weaken our forces,” the anti-Brexit MP said.

Britain is weeks away from its scheduled departure

- rangements in place.

played down another of Williamson’s suggestions, to deploy Britain’s new aircraft carrier, HMS Queen

“The full details of her deployment will be agreed by the prime minister in due course,” May’s spokesman said.

The spokesman said the ship would only be ready

would include the Mediterranean, Middle East and