There is a gaping hole in Britain’s defence and Putin could hit us with cruise missiles and drones whenever he wants, ex-ministers warn [Video]

13:07 EDT 17 Apr 2024, updated 14:14 EDT 17 Apr 2024

Britain is dangerously exposed to the potential of a surprise Russian missile and drone onslaught, a former government minister tonight warned.

Mark Francois said the nation had a ‘gaping gap’ in its air defence, which he feared could be exploited by Putin whenever he wants, should the Russian despot seek to enter a ‘shooting war’ with Britain. 

The former Armed Forces Minister claimed the Russian tyrant could take advantage in the delay in the RAF’s new £1.9billion ‘eyes in the sky’ surveillance plane, the E-7 Wedgetail, by attacking from the north. 

Speaking at an event in Westminster, the Tory MP warned the Kremlin could launch a squadron of strategic bombers from Murmansk, that could fly over the Norwegian Sea to the north Atlantic, before launching a cruise missile strike ‘from behind’.

Among the jets that could be sent in such an aerial ambush could include Russia’s supersonic apocalypse bomber, the …