UK military to get powers to shoot down drones near bases
British soldiers will be given new powers to shoot down drones that threaten military bases.
The plans, which Defense Minister John Healey will announce in his speech on Monday, aim to allow troops to take faster and more decisive action.
Mysterious drone sightings were reported last year at four British air bases used by US forces, while drones have disrupted airspace across Europe several times in recent months.
The new powers will only apply to military areas but could be extended to civilian locations such as airports.
Healey is set to announce the introduction of a “kinetic option”, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, that will allow British troops or Ministry of Defense (MoD) police to shoot down drones that pose a threat to a military site in the UK.
Current protocol requires soldiers to direct drones or jam GPS signals using counter-drone equipment.
Shooting down an unidentified drone is only allowed in extreme cases.
RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire all reported drone strikes in November last year.
Approximately 60 RAF personnel were sent to assist the US Air Force in the investigation.
Neither US nor UK officials have said who might be behind the drone activity.
Air bases are of strategic importance to the US military. It recently deployed F-22A fighter jets to RAF Lakenheath. Just days after the US bombed Iran’s nuclear facilities in June.
Recent sightings of drones across the European Union led to a leaders’ summit in Denmark earlier this month.
Many EU member states have backed plans for a multi-layered “drone wall” to quickly detect, track and destroy Russian drones.
In September, 20 Russian unmanned aerial vehicles crossed into Poland, while Russian MiG-31 jets also entered Estonian airspace at the end of the month. Russia has denied or downplayed the attacks.
Other recent drone sightings have also caused the closure of several European airports, including one in Munich, Germany, for two consecutive days.
Airports in Denmark and Norway were also closed after unidentified drones were detected near airports and military airfields.
Russia denied any involvement, while Danish officials said there was no evidence of Moscow’s involvement.
