Media: UK to grant troops power to shoot down hostile drones over military bases

Defence Secretary John Healey is set to announce new powers allowing British troops to shoot down drones threatening the UK’s military bases, in response to the growing threat posed by Russia and other hostile actors.

The measures, expected to be outlined on October 20, aim to remove bureaucratic barriers that currently restrict the military’s ability to respond swiftly to drone incursions. Under the plan, soldiers and Ministry of Defence (MoD) Police will be authorised to take “decisive action” against unidentified drones using rifles or other kinetic means, Caliber.Az reports via The Telegraph.

At present, UK forces primarily rely on specialist counter-drone equipment to track, jam, or divert hostile drones. The proposed changes will give them a direct engagement option — something currently permitted only in extreme circumstances.

The move follows a series of mystery drone sightings last year over four airbases used by US forces — RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire — which prompted the deployment of 60 British troops to secure the sites.

Mr Healey will reportedly state: “We will always do what’s needed to keep the British people safe, and as we speak, we are developing new powers – to be put into law through our Armed Forces Bill – to shoot down unidentified drones over UK military sites.”

While the new powers will initially apply only to military locations, government sources have not ruled out extending them to other critical infrastructure such as airports.

Defence chiefs have become increasingly alarmed by the rising frequency of drone incursions across Europe, including 19 Russian drones entering Polish airspace last month, and similar incidents reported in Denmark, Norway, and Germany.

By Vugar Khalilov