Suspicious drones over US military bases / Britain deploys troops

2024-11-29 18:30:34, Kosova & Bota CNA

British and US authorities are investigating several drones that have flown over four US air bases in Britain in recent days. As Voice of America correspondent Henry Ridgwell reports, Britain has deployed 60 military troops around the bases, amid concerns that drones could be used to damage operations or carry out acts of sabotage.

The US military announced on Wednesday that small drones have been regularly seen flying over four US bases in Britain since November 20. Among them is the Lakenheath base, home to what is known as the US Air Force's 48th fighter wing - one of its most important combat bases in Europe.

The Pentagon said this week that it is taking these incidents seriously.

" Officials have determined so far that none of these intrusions have affected facilities on these bases ," said Major General Patrick Ryder, Pentagon spokesman.

Britain has deployed around 60 soldiers around the bases. Defense Minister Maria Eagle said they were using "multi-layered safeguards".

" We will make sure that anyone we manage to catch for involvement in these incidents will face the full force of the law ," she said.

The US military says drone incidents "have varied in size and pattern". This likely indicates an intentional act, says security expert David Dunn.

" The most obvious thing is that these are practices that can create problems, that in fact force the suspension of air operations ".

Mr Dunn says US adversaries could also use drones for other purposes - such as gathering intelligence on the number and whereabouts of fighter jets. Drones have also been seen over facilities where US military personnel reside.

"The most delicate part of the overall system is actually the aircrew. And if you find out where they live, it can be used to break the most delicate part of this chain," said Mr. Dunn.

The Times of London reported that authorities have not ruled out Russia as the culprit. Mr Dunn says there is evidence that Moscow is looking to step up hybrid attacks, meaning a non-military form of warfare that can also be devastating.

" Whether it's cutting submarine cables, or sending packages of flammable equipment, like the one in the city I live in, Birmingham - where one such package was found at the airport. Or incidents like the burning of a warehouse where materials going to Ukraine were stored, these things are usually done by third parties, so the Russian state appears to have employed criminals in Britain ," Mr Dunn said.

The Russian Embassy in London did not respond to VOA's requests for comment by the time of writing. Moscow has previously denied any involvement in hybrid attacks in the West./ VOA