For more than 100 years, the RAF “ace” title has been reserved for fighter pilots who shot down five or more enemy aircraft in combat. Now, for the first time ever, that honour has been earned by RAF Regiment personnel on the ground.
Four British gunners operating in the Middle East have become the RAF’s first ever drone “aces” after each shooting down at least five hostile Iranian drones during operations to protect UK personnel, allies and military bases.
The achievement highlights how modern warfare is changing, with Britain’s armed forces increasingly facing threats from unmanned drones rather than traditional aircraft. RAF personnel have been using a sophisticated combination of radar, electronic warfare systems and the Rapid Sentry air defence system armed with Lightweight Multirole Missiles to stop attacks before they reach British positions.
Remarkably, some of the personnel involved are as young as 18 and only months out of training. Despite their age, they have been operating in some of the world’s most dangerous environments, often continuing to load and fire defensive systems while missiles land nearby.
The RAF says some operators achieved the five-kill milestone in a single night, underlining the intensity of the threats facing British forces in the region. One particularly successful operation on 23 and 24 March delivered the most effective single-night defensive outcome so far.
It is another example of Britain’s armed forces adapting quickly to new challenges, using cutting edge technology and highly trained personnel to keep UK interests safe in an increasingly complex world.
