British troops will be handed new powers to shoot down drones threatening UK military bases on sight, it has been reported. Defence minister John Healey is expected to announce the new plans for protecting the country’s critical military bases amid a growing threat from Russia today. The new powers will only initially apply to military bases but the government has not ruled out “working to extend” the remit to other important sites including airports, the Telegraph reports.
According to the newspaper, Mr Healey will tell attendees at a defence and security lecture in London: “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 shot down unidentified drones over UK military sites.” He will continue: “Last month, we saw 19 drones cross the Polish border. Days later, Russian jets violated Estonia’s airspace, while at the same time, Russia mounted a concerted campaign to subvert Moldova’s election. Here at home, we continue to defend ourselves daily from threats reaching from the seabed to cyberspace.”
British troops can currently use specialist counter-drone equipment to track and divert the incoming aircraft, but the new proposals will give them “a kinetic option” in extreme circumstances, it was reported.
Drone disruption has become an increasingly frequent occurrence in Europe over recent weeks and months, prompting multiple airport shutdowns and causing travel chaos.
Last year, drone sightings were reported at four British airbases used by the US, including RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire.
Over 15 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) have also been spotted in countries including Germany, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Germany by the monitoring service Enigma since mid-September.
European officials have pointed the finger of blame at Vladimir Putin as tensions continue to rise between the West and Russia over his ongoing incursion in Ukraine, althrough the Kremlin has denied involvement.
The Ministry of Defence has been contacted for comment.
