Britain’s military will get new powers to shoot down “unidentified” drones over bases, Defence Minister John Healey was to announce on Monday.
The move comes after several recent drone sightings across Europe triggered disruptions in Germany and Denmark among other countries, and multiple sightings last year over UK airbases which are also used by US forces in some cases.
Russia has been accused of involvement in some of these drone flights, claims which Moscow denies.
Countries across Europe have boosted military spending and defences amidst a growing perceived threat from Russia since Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
NATO said last week it was testing new anti-drone defences on its eastern flank to counter a threat from Russia following several recent air incursions in Poland and Estonia.
The UK is not immune from threats like these from Russia, Healey would say in his speech in London according to extracts.
“We will always do what’s needed to keep the British people safe,” Healey is expected to say.
“We are developing new powers – to be put into law through our Armed Forces Bill – to shoot down unidentified drones over UK military sites.”
Last year a number of unidentified drones were spotted on multiple occasions over three airbases used by US forces in the UK – RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell, in Norfolk.
A joint military investigation between US and British forces was launched, but no information emerged about the origin of the devices.
The EU had no choice but to build up anti-drone defences against Russia, the bloc’s foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday, as Brussels unveiled a “roadmap” to prepare for potential conflict by 2030.
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