UK takes action against unidentified drones. The incidents that led to the change in the law
Small commercial drone in flight (illustrative image), PHOTO: Shutterstock
The British government will allow the armed forces to shoot down drones flying over military bases, amid an increase in the number of cases of suspicious drones reported in the airspace of several European countries in recent weeks, reports AFP, taken by Agerpres.
In a speech scheduled for Monday evening, excerpts of which were published in advance, British Defense Secretary John Healey announced that the new legal provisions would allow “unidentified drones to be shot down over British military sites.”
“We will always do whatever is necessary to protect the British people,” he said.
This announcement comes after the incursion of drones into the airspace of several European countries, including Poland, Denmark and Germany, the activity of the Munich airport being paralyzed for 48 hours. These violations of European airspace were attributed to Russian drones.
Moscow is accused by Kiev's European allies of trying to escalate tensions and testing NATO's air defense in Europe.
Until now, the protocol authorized the military to divert drones or jam their GPS signals, but not to shoot them down, except in extreme circumstances.
In 2024, several British air bases used by US forces reported the presence of drones of unknown origin. A joint military investigation was launched by American and British forces, but no information has emerged about the origin of the aircraft.
These bases are strategically important to the US military, which notably deployed F-22A fighter jets to the Lakenheath (East) base after the US bombing of Iranian nuclear sites in June.
Faced with the growing threat of drones, the European Commission announced plans for an anti-drone wall in October.
In early October, the German government announced that it would allow police to shoot down drones.
