US EditionUK military to get powers to shoot down drones near bases
- On Oct 20, 2025, Defence Secretary John Healey will announce British troops can shoot down drones threatening military bases, The Telegraph reported Oct 19.
- Recent drone disruptions across Europe prompted a leaders' summit in Denmark earlier this month, with fingers pointed at Russia, which denies involvement amid rising tensions over Ukraine.
- Currently, troops use specialist counter-drone equipment to track, hijack signals, and divert drones, while shooting down unidentified drones is allowed only in extreme circumstances; the proposal would add a `kinetic option` to shoot them on site.
- The new powers will initially apply to military sites, though several US military strategic airbases have reported incursions and about 60 RAF personnel assisted the US Air Force investigation.
- Four British airbases reported mystery drone sightings last year, and monitoring service Enigma spotted at least 18 suspect drones since Sept 16, while several EU member states back a multi-layered `drone wall`.
29 Articles
29 Articles
British soldiers will be given new powers to shoot down drones that threaten military bases. The plans, which will be unveiled by Defence Secretary John Healey in a speech on Monday, aim to allow troops to take quicker and more decisive action. Four British air bases used by US forces reported sightings of mysterious drones last year, while drones have led to airspace closures across Europe several times in recent months. The new powers will onl…
Military to get new powers to shoot down drones menacing British bases
Defence Secretary John Healey will set out the planned changes to the law in a speech in London on Monday night. New powers will allow the military to shoot down drones around UK bases, Defence Secretary John Healey will announce. Drones have been sighted at military bases including some used by US forces in the UK while countries across Europe have also experienced disruption, with speculation Russia could be behind some of the incidents. The n…
The British military will be allowed to shoot down drones that threaten military bases immediately, without warning.
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