For six intense weeks, a coalition base in Iraq stood as a frontline battleground where British forces intercepted an onslaught of nearly 28 Iranian-linked drones and missiles daily. At the heart of this defense, skilled RAF Regiment personnel fiercely shot down over 100 unmanned aerial threats before a ceasefire paused the conflict in early April.
Inside the High-Stakes Defense Operation
Sky News gained rare access to this strategically vital but undisclosed base, where British troops operate alongside American forces. The site endured relentless targeting by Iranian proxies in response to US and Israeli strikes against Iran. Despite no direct hits in recent weeks, vigilance remains paramount as tensions hover on a knife-edge.
During a visit last week, Alistair Carns, the Armed Forces Minister, praised the troops, declaring, “I would argue this place would be a smouldering wreck if it wasn’t for you guys.” Standing beside him was Air Chief Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, head of the RAF, who emphasized the critical role of drone interception in modern warfare.
Expanding the UK’s Counter-Drone Arsenal
Air Chief Marshal Smyth revealed that the Ministry of Defence is actively considering a significant expansion of the UK’s counter-drone capabilities as part of a long-awaited investment plan. “Yes, that’s definitely a discussion that we’re having,” he confirmed.
The RAF leads the UK’s integrated air and missile defense efforts, a complex and costly domain that suffered cuts after the Cold War. Smyth highlighted the challenge of scaling protection, noting that replicating Israel’s famed Iron Dome system across the entire UK would require enormous resources. Instead, the focus would likely be on shielding critical cities and infrastructure.
“It all starts with your appetite for what you need to defend,” Smyth explained. “If the discussion is around protecting key cities and key critical national infrastructure areas, then those numbers are smaller.”
Meet the RAF Regiment ‘Aces’ Taking Down Enemy Drones
At the base, two RAF Regiment airmen shared their frontline experiences operating the Rapid Sentry counter-drone system, which launches four laser-guided missiles to neutralize incoming threats. Positioned on a mound, the operators use a control panel resembling a video game controller to guide the munitions.
“If you’re good at Xbox, this is for you,” said Air Specialist (Class 1) Durso-Colville, 22. “It’s all in the thumbs. The adrenaline buzz when you take out drones is bigger than any game.” His colleague, Air Specialist (Class 1) Westworth, 21, added, “The concept is pretty much the same as PlayStation or Xbox.”
Both have earned the prestigious “aces” title by shooting down more than five enemy drones—a distinction traditionally reserved for fighter pilots, underscoring how drone warfare is reshaping combat.
Shaping the Future of UK Defense
Addressing the troops, Carns stressed the broader significance of their work. “Russia’s war in Ukraine was the first signal about the importance of uncrewed systems,” he said. “But the conflict here with Iran has hit us with a ruler and told us to wake up. You are at the very cutting edge of modern warfare.”
This coalition base has been a pivotal stronghold for over a decade, safeguarding the region against threats from the Islamic State while adapting to the evolving demands of drone and missile defense.
