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MPs warn over electro-magnetic pulse threat MPs warn over nuclear space bombs and solar flares
(about 1 hour later)
The government must take seriously the threat of a major electro-magnetic pulse event, MPs are warning. The government must take more seriously the threat of a nuclear weapon being exploded in space by a rogue state, MPs have warned.
Sudden fluctuations in the magnetic field caused by weather in space or nuclear attack, could wipe out electricity and GPS, used by the military and financial markets. The href="http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmdfence/1552/1552.pdf" >Defence Select Committee said the resulting radiation pulse could disrupt power and water supplies, UK defence and satellite navigation systems.
A Defence Select Committee report said the government appeared "somewhat complacent" about the risks. Its chairman, Tory MP James Arbuthnot, said an attack was "quite likely".
It called for a clearer picture of who has responsibility in such an event. The committee is urging ministers to invest in more "hardened" technology to cope with such an event.
The report insisted such threats should be the included under the National Security Council and civil contingency planners, with standards of protection developed for industries most in danger. It looked at the threat to the UK's technological infrastructure from "electro-magnetic pulse" (EMP) events in space, which could also include the eruption of solar flares.
Defence alone could not protect against the threat, it said. 'Quite likely'
The consequences of electro-magnetic pulse (EMP) events needed to be addressed specifically: generic civil contingency plans to deal with blackouts and electronic shutdown were "not sufficient", it added. The committee found the government was "somewhat complacent" about the risks to technology, such as the destruction of computer chips, which could put defence systems out of action.
Currently a severe space weather event would most likely be considered an "emergency" under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and require help from the armed forces. Mr Arbuthnot told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "The defence really is to build up the resilience of the electronic infrastructure by, over a period of time, replacing the incredibly delicate and vulnerable systems and chips and connections that we now have with the more hardened chips and connections and systems that are available at a not very expensive price, as you're doing your routine maintenance."
Conservative committee chairman James Arbuthnot said: "The reactive posture described by the government appears somewhat complacent. On the possibility of a nuclear missile being fired into space and exploded, he said: "I personally believe that it's quite likely to happen. It's a comparatively easy way of using a small number of nuclear weapons to cause devastating damage.
"Space weather is a global threat and may affect many regions and countries simultaneously." "The consequences if it did happen would be so devastating that we really ought to start protecting against it now, and our vulnerabilities are huge."
This, the report said, meant there was scope for countries to assist one and other, but also that there was no guaranteed safe place from where help could come. Mr Arbuthnot added: "it would actually have a far more devastating effect to use a nuclear weapon in this way than to explode a bomb in or on a city. The reason for that is it would, over a much wider area, take out things like the National Grid, on which we all rely for almost everything, take out the water system, the sewage system.
Mr Arbuthnot added: "It is time that the government began to approach this matter with the seriousness it deserves." "And rapidly it would become very difficult to live in cities. I mean within a matter of a couple of days.
The report also warned that the effects of a nuclear weapon exploding hundreds of miles above the Earth's surface - known as a high-altitude electromagnetic pulse device - would be so serious that only the government could mitigate it. "I wish the government would address this with rather more energy and cohesion and focus. I think sooner rather than later."
"We are concerned that the government does not regard EMP from a nuclear blast as currently being a high risk and so we urge that more vigorous action should be taken to prepare for such an attack," Mr Arbuthnot said. Currently a severe "space weather" event would most likely be considered an "emergency" under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004 and require help from the armed forces.
"Similarly, an urgent reassessment should be made of the risk from non-nuclear EMP attack on vital national facilities." But the committee called for a clearer picture of who has responsibility in such an event.
'Global threat'
The report insisted such threats should be considered by the National Security Council and civil contingency planners, with standards of protection developed for industries most in danger.
Conventional defence alone could not protect against the threat, it said.
In February last year a large solar flare erupted, disrupting flights over Pacific, but the bulk of the material emitted by the Sun passed by Earth.
The committee said sudden fluctuations in the magnetic field caused by weather in space or nuclear attack, could wipe out electricity and GPS, used by the military and financial markets.
It added: "Space weather is a global threat and may affect many regions and countries simultaneously."
This, the report said, meant countries should work together, but also that there was no guaranteed safe place from where help could come.
The report also urged the Ministry of Defence to plan for the loss or degradation of satellite-based communications systems in case they are damaged by severe space weather.The report also urged the Ministry of Defence to plan for the loss or degradation of satellite-based communications systems in case they are damaged by severe space weather.