UK to grant military new powers to shoot down unidentified drones
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Britain will give its military new powers to shoot down drones over bases as Europe boosts defenses amid rising tensions with Russia.
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Germany deployed a Patriot long-range air defense system at Vilnius airport for security during the NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, Saturday, July 8, 2023 (AP)
Britain’s armed forces are set to receive expanded powers to shoot down unidentified drones flying over military installations, Defense Minister John Healey announced on Monday, amid rising tensions with Russia and a surge in drone sightings across Europe.
Recent incidents involving small aircraft have disrupted airports in Germany and Denmark, while Poland shot down several drones last month. Similar sightings were reported over British airbases last year. European nations have largely blamed Russia for the incursions, though Moscow denies any involvement.
“Russian aggression has escalated. It’s extended even further into the West,” Healey said during a speech at Mansion House in Central London. “We will always do what’s needed to defend British people, and as we speak, we are developing new legal powers to bring down unidentified drones over UK military bases.”
New air defenses being tested
NATO confirmed last week that it has begun testing new anti-drone defenses in Eastern Europe to counter potential threats.
Last year, drones were spotted over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell, three airbases used by US forces in the UK. A joint Anglo-American investigation was launched, but no origin for the devices was identified.
European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said Thursday that the bloc “has no choice but to build up defenses” against Russian drones, as Brussels unveiled a roadmap to prepare for potential conflict by 2030.
“There is, undeniably, a new era of threat,” Healey warned. “Not since the end of the Second World War has Europe’s security been at such risk of state-on-state conflict.”
New NATO 'drone wall'
The United Kingdom will keep its fighter jets patrolling Polish airspace until the end of the year, Defense Secretary John Healy confirmed on Wednesday, extending London’s commitment to the Eastern Sentry mission.
“We are also ramping up our drone production for Ukraine,” he added, speaking to reporters before a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels.
NATO members are increasingly focused on countering drone threats. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said the alliance needs to find a more efficient way to intercept drones than relying on F-35 fighter jets.
He also confirmed that the Netherlands plans to invest 90 million euros ($104.6 million) in drones for Ukraine, urging other NATO members to boost their contributions to the Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), the alliance’s package of military equipment and munitions for Ukraine.
Further contributions to PURL
Several allies also addressed ongoing support for Ukraine. Estonia’s Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur confirmed that his country joined the fourth PURL package, known as the Baltic Nordic package, with an estimated contribution of $12 million, and suggested the package could be finalized as early as Wednesday. Pevkur expressed concern over what he perceives as a recent decline in military assistance to Ukraine.
On his part, Swedish Defense Minister Pal Jonson reiterated his country’s readiness to contribute further to PURL, emphasizing the need for all allies to step up support. “We’ve been seeing the wrong trajectory when it comes to support for Ukraine. That has been going down. We want to see more stepping up to enhance and increase the financial support and military donations to Ukraine,” Jonson said.
The United States also pressed for increased commitments. US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told reporters that Washington expects NATO partners to invest more in the PURL initiative, enhancing military capabilities and firepower to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
