Drones over bases 'likely from Russia shadow fleet'

Swarms of drones that flew over three air bases in Norfolk and Suffolk were likely launched from Russia's shadow fleet of cargo ships, according to experts.

Unmanned aerial vehicles were spotted over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk in November 2024, sparking a major alert.

An inquiry by the Ministry of Defence Police failed to identify any suspects.

But an investigation by The International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS), a think tank, said the unmanned aerial vehicles were likely launched from Russian-linked commercial vessels in the North Sea.

The report by the IISS said about 170 sightings were reported between 20 and 26 November in 2024 over the three air bases, which are all used by the United States Air Force (USAF).

The drones entered the air bases at low altitude with their lights visible and departed at higher altitudes, the report continued.

There were swarms of up to 20 drones at a time and some were said to be flying low over runway approaches.

At the time, the USAF announced that "small unmanned aerial systems continue to be spotted" in the vicinity of the air bases.

A police helicopter sent to investigate reported a near-miss with what was later identified as a US F-15 fighter jet.

Despite the sightings, no verified footage of the drones around the bases has emerged – at least, not in the public domain.

The IISS report said that "by coincidence", the Hav Dolphin, a cargo vessel sailing under the flag of Antigua and Barbuda and suspected of carrying Russian spy drones, was docked near Hull in the Humber estuary at the time.

Another Russian-linked vessel, the Seasons 1 tanker, was also in the North Sea near Essex.

The surveillance campaign also targeted RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire and sites in France, Belgium and the Netherlands, researchers said.

The IISS said it believes the current architecture used to defend against unauthorised drones "does not yet match the threat" posed by Russia, and that the Kremlin's campaign is "exploiting the gap between what European militaries could do and what their governments were prepared to authorise."

Following the incident, the Ministry of Defence said it was spending £4bn on boosting drone capabilities and over £1bn on strengthening integrated air and missile defences protecting the UK.

"New powers introduced this year authorised personnel to take down drones deemed to pose a threat to any defence site in the UK," it said.

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