British soldiers will soon have the authority to shoot down drones threatening UK military bases under new powers set to be unveiled by Defence Secretary John Healey.
The plan, which introduces a new “kinetic option”, will allow British troops or Ministry of Defence (MoD) police to destroy drones that endanger military sites, a step beyond current rules that limit action to diverting or disrupting signals.
Until now, soldiers could only shoot down an unidentified drone in extreme circumstances. The move aims to let troops act faster amid rising drone activity across Europe
The move follows a string of mysterious drone sightings last year at airbases used by US forces, including RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Around 60 RAF personnel were deployed to assist the US Air Force’s investigation, though neither US nor UK officials have revealed who was behind the activity.
The affected airbases have strategic importance for the US military, which recently deployed F-22A fighter jets to RAF Lakenheath following airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites in June.
The new powers will initially apply only to military locations but could later extend to civilian areas such as airports, where drone incursions have repeatedly disrupted air traffic.
Europe has also seen a sharp rise in drone incidents. Earlier this month, EU leaders met in Denmark to discuss coordinated defences, including a proposed multi-layered “drone wall” to detect and destroy Russian drones.
Twenty Russian drones reportedly entered Polish airspace in September, while Russian MiG-31 jets violated Estonia’s airspace later that month, both incidents Moscow has denied.
Several European airports, including those in Munich, Denmark, and Norway, were forced to close after drones were spotted near airports and military zones.
Authorities say there is no evidence linking the incidents directly to Russia, but security agencies across Europe are on alert.
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