John Healey, Defence Secretary

British troops will have new powers to shoot down drones threatening UK military bases.

Defence Secretary John Healey warned the country is not “immune” from foreign drones.

He said: “Here at home, we continue to defend ourselves daily from threats reaching from the seabed to cyberspace.”

Russia has recently increased its drone incursions to attack Ukraine.

Last September about 5,500 one-way attack drones were launched by Russia into Ukraine.

More than a thousand more than were used in August.

And, so far in October, more than 3,000 have been launched.

That’s 10,000 drones launched in the last 11 weeks.

Mr Healey, speaking at the Lord Mayor of London Defence and Security lecture, said:

“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.

The Defence Secretary will warn the UK is not immune from these threats.

The Daily Telegraph reports that last year a series of mystery drone were sighted at four British airbases used by US forces.

The sightings at RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire, prompted alarm.

More than 60 soldiers were deployed to counter the threat.

and the deployment of 60 British troops to defend them.

Mr Healey said: “We will always do what’s needed to keep the British people safe.

“We are developing new powers – to be put into law through our Armed Forces Bill – to shoot down unidentified drones over UK military sites,”

The powers to take out alien drones could be extended to non-military sites like airports.