Originally Posted by
Wensleydale
The primary aim of UK Air Defence during the 50s/60s was protection of the nuclear deterrent which was mostly in southern UK. With the bases already down there, they just stayed after the RN took over the formal deterrent in '69.
To a point, the ring of steel was to protect the Thor IRBM and MBF main bases. When the dispersal policy was adopted there was no money for infrastructure or additional defences.
The Bloodhound 2 replaced the Mk 1s and continued to protect the bomber bases, including Cyprus, long after the RN provided the
principal deterrent.