British soldiers are set to receive expanded authority to neutralize drones posing threats to military installations.
Defense Secretary John Healey outlined the forthcoming measures in a speech on Monday, emphasizing the need for troops to undertake swifter and more decisive action.
Last year, four British airbases utilized by U.S. forces reported unexplained drone sightings, while drone activity has disrupted airspace across Europe on multiple occasions in recent months.
While the enhanced powers will initially apply to military sites, potential extensions to civilian locations such as airports are under consideration.
Healey announced the introduction of a “kinetic option,” initially reported by the Daily Telegraph, authorizing British troops or Ministry of Defence (MoD) police to engage drones deemed a threat to UK military sites.
Current protocols dictate that soldiers prioritize diverting drones or disrupting their GPS signals using counter-drone technology.
The deployment of lethal force against unidentified drones is currently reserved for extreme circumstances.
RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire all reported drone incursions in November of the previous year.
Approximately 60 RAF personnel were dispatched to aid the U.S. Air Force in its ensuing investigation.
Neither U.S. nor UK officials have publicly identified potential actors behind the observed drone activity.
The airbases hold strategic importance for the U.S. military. Recent deployments include F-22A fighter jets to RAF Lakenheath, occurring shortly after the U.S. bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in June.
Recent drone sightings across the European Union prompted a leaders’ summit in Denmark earlier this month.
Several EU member states have voiced support for a multi-layered “drone wall” to enable swift detection, tracking, and neutralization of Russian drones.
Twenty Russian drones reportedly crossed into Polish territory in September, while Russian MiG-31 jets entered Estonian airspace later in the month. Russia has either denied or minimized the significance of these incursions.
Separate drone incidents have also led to temporary closures of numerous European airports, including two consecutive days of disruptions in Munich, Germany.
Airports in Denmark and Norway also experienced shutdowns following the detection of unidentified drones near airport and military airspaces.
Russia has denied any involvement in these incidents, with Danish authorities stating that there is no evidence linking Moscow to the activity.
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