British fighter jet shoots down drone in first operational kill during Iran war
A British F-35B fighter jet shot down an Iranian drone over Jordan’s airspace – the first time the jet has destroyed a target on operations.
British jets are protecting UK personnel and allied nations across the Middle East, shooting down drones fired from Iran into various Gulf Countries.
The Ministry of Defence said the jets were supported by RAF Typhoons and a Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft.
This followed earlier strikes on drones by a British counter-drone unit in Iraqi airspace, as well as by an RAF Typhoon, which shot down an Iranian drone directed at Qatar on Monday.
Sir Keir Starmer confirmed the UK would be sending HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 air defence destroyers, after RAF Akrotiri on Cyprus was hit by a drone.
Defence Secretary John Healey said: ‘We are moving quickly to further reinforce our defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.’
‘I am deeply proud of the professionalism and bravery of our Armed Forces personnel who have in recent days successfully taken action across the region to protect our allies and defend British interests.’
Drones have been hitting targets across the Middle East, including one which smashed into the parking lot of the US Consulate in Dubai.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: ‘All personnel are accounted for. As you’re aware, we began drawing down personnel from our diplomatic facilities in advance of this.
‘But our embassies and our diplomatic facilities are under direct attack from a terroristic regime.’
On Sunday, Starmer granted permission for the US to use British bases for ‘defensive’ strikes on Iran’s missile sites, a day after the launch of joint American-Israeli military action against Tehran over the weekend.
Hours afterwards, a drone hit RAF Akrotiri, a British sovereign air base on the island, though the Prime Minister said it was launched before his announcement and was not in retaliation.
Earlier today, a British counter-drone team also intercepted uncrewed aerial vehicles in Iraqi airspace that were heading towards Coalition forces, protecting UK personnel operating in the area.
The escalation in the conflict in the region continues on its third day after joint US–Israel airstrikes over the weekend, and Iran’s retaliation targeting its neighbours and American interests.
US allies are struggling to avoid being drawn into the conflict, which has put global security, trade and travel at risk.
The Prime Minister said yesterday that the UK would not join US-Israeli strikes against Iran, citing the ‘mistakes of Iraq.’
He said: ‘We all remember the mistakes of Iraq, and we have learned those lessons. Any UK actions must always have a lawful basis, and a viable thought-through plan.
‘That is the principle that I applied to the decisions that I made over the weekend.’
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.