The United Kingdom's military is set to receive new powers allowing soldiers to shoot down drones deemed a threat to military bases. This initiative expands upon existing protocols, which primarily mandate diverting drones or disrupting their GPS signals, with shooting down an unidentified drone currently permitted only in extreme circumstances.
The decision follows multiple drone incursions reported last year, specifically at four British airbases with strategic significance for US forces, including RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall. While initially applicable only to military installations, the new authority could potentially be extended to civilian locations, such as airports.
This development occurs amidst a wider European context of increasing drone-related disruptions. Recent incidents have seen numerous European airports, including those in Munich, Denmark, and Norway, close due to unidentified drone sightings. Furthermore, a leaders' summit in Denmark earlier this month addressed concerns after incidents such as twenty Russian drones reportedly crossing into Poland and Russian jets entering Estonian airspace.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/ce8zyyl81m3o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss