Anti-drone weapon tested in Lancashire is deployed on Middle East Operations

The UK is now deploying a low cost anti-drone weapon, which was tested by BAE Systems in Lancashire, on operations in the Middle East.

The new Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) is fitted to RAF Typhoon fighter jets so that they can destroy targets precisely and at a fraction of the price of missiles currently used.

Rapid procurement and testing work by the Ministry of Defence and industry partners BAE Systems and QinetiQ has enabled the system to move from testing to deployment on operations in less than two months.

Lancashire Business View reported in March, teams at BAE Systems site in Warton led a firing trial of the APKWS from a test-and-evaluation aircraft which is part of a fleet of aircraft operating out of the company’s aerodrome.

Following the trial, engineering teams from BAE Systems worked alongside the RAF to support a further air-to-air firing trial and the deployment of APKWS on RAF Typhoons operating in the Middle East.

The system has now been deployed on operations in the Middle East with sorties flown by 9 Squadron RAF Typhoon fighter.

Simon Barnes, group managing director BAE Systems air sector, said: “Our priority is to ensure the Royal Air Force and its allies have the advanced technologies they need today and into the future, to keep them ahead of evolving threats.

“This capability demonstrates Typhoon’s exceptional versatility and underlines its continued role as the backbone of combat air across Europe and the Middle East.”

Minister for defence readiness and industry Luke Pollard MP said: “This has been a superb effort working with industry to test and deploy this system in a matter of months, which will help the RAF shoot down many more drones at a much lower cost.

“Our Typhoon fleet is the backbone of UK and NATO air defence, with the RAF protecting European’s Eastern flank from Russian drone incursions and defending our partners across the Middle East.”

Steve Wadey, group chief executive, QinetiQ, said: “From engineering expertise to live trials, our teams are providing the fundamental support needed by our armed forces, to deliver the urgent capabilities that ensure the UK and its allies remain safe and warfighting ready.”

UK aircraft continue to operate across the Middle East and are ready to defend British people, interest and partners from threats. Pilots and aircrew have surpassed 2,500 flying hours since the conflict in the region began, equivalent to over three months of continuous flying on defensive missions.

The news comes just weeks after the Ministry of Defence signed a multi-million-pound contract with to buy Skyhammer interceptor missiles for the UK Armed Forces designed to counter Shahed-style attack drones.

In January, the Ministry of Defence committed over £650m to upgrade the RAF’s Typhoon fighter jet fleet, securing over 1,500 jobs across the UK and ensuring the fleet will continue protecting British skies until at least the 2040s.

BAE Systems business employs more than 10,000 people at our sites in Warton and Samlesbury and the Eurofighter Typhoon is manufactured in Samlesbury with engineer and flight testing undertaken at Warton.