Britain will get access to Ukraine battlefield-tested AI technology that will allow it to target protesters engaged in peaceful protests at British bases – in a shocking attack on the right to protest in Britain.
The access comes as part of a wider military deal announced this week, that gives Ukraine classified blueprints to produce the Storm Shadow/SCALP missile – used by Ukraine to hit targets deep inside Russian territory.
According to a government statement, Britain will now have access to Ukraine’s Avengers AI Labs database collected “by thousands of daylight cameras and infrared sensors across the battlefield in Ukraine.” A number of pilot projects are already underway by new military tech startups Bristol’s Sintela, Oxford’s Mind Foundry and London’s Skyral.
The government said the first trial of this dystopian tech will be “to protect bases from protestors and hostile actors trying to gain intelligence.”
A chilling effect on protest
The technology will have a direct impact on campaigning activity at military bases by CND and other organisations. CND has been ramping up its protests outside military bases across Britain. CND, as part of the Lakenheath Alliance for Peace, has been protesting the stationing of a new generation of US nuclear bombs at RAF Lakenheath. The base, alongside nearby RAF Mildenhall, have also been key logistical hubs for Israel’s genocide in Gaza and the illegal US war on Iran. CND has held regular national demonstrations at the base, alongside local monthly vigils, international peace camps, and supporting non-violent direct action. Since February this year, CND and allies have also been organising protests against the use of RAF Fairford, where US long-range heavy bombers have been deployed to carry out bombing missions – playing a central role in Trump’s illegal war on Iran. Ongoing British authorisation for the US to attack Iran from the base, has now resulted in Britain being classified as a ‘legitimate target’ by Iran, whilst the illegal war is driving a global recession which is making the population poorer.
CND General Secretary Sophie Bolt said:
“We condemn this chilling deal with Ukraine and call on the Prime Minister to reverse his decision. CND has a proud history of peaceful protest at military bases, our most recent taking place at RAF Fairford. We reject the framing that this tech is about keeping us safe. It will be used to attack our democratic right to protest. But we will not stop protesting at military bases that are facilitating genocide, war crimes and where there are nuclear weapons.”