The Royal Air Force has deployed drones for the first time to monitor Russian naval activity near British waters, according to the Ministry of Defence. Over the past month, an unarmed Protector RG1 drone has conducted more than ten hours of intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions over the English Channel, operating alongside Royal Navy warships and helicopters tracking a Russian warship.

This development comes amid growing concerns that Russian vessels could launch drone attacks on the UK’s infrastructure. Military officials have warned that Moscow may deploy remotely controlled aircraft from ships off the British coast in coordinated attacks, potentially targeting critical facilities. In response, the Ministry of Defence has increased anti-Russian naval surveillance by 25 percent in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2025.

The monitoring efforts are partly motivated by reports that Russian ships have been conducting surveillance of undersea cables deemed vital to the UK’s communications and security. In light of these activities, the government has committed an additional £330 million over four years to enhance seabed monitoring and develop advanced anti-submarine capabilities.

A senior military commander emphasized the urgency of strengthening the UK’s defensive posture. The officer underscored the need for improved readiness, increased patrol aircraft, and more naval vessels devoted to vessel monitoring, regardless of their size. He highlighted emerging technologies such as laser-guided rockets capable of neutralizing drones but stressed that an effective early warning system is critical to allowing the RAF time to respond.

Intelligence reports indicate that Russia has already conducted drone operations in countries including Poland, Moldova, Lithuania, Norway, and Denmark, heightening fears that the UK could be next, especially given its support for Ukraine. Defence analysts note that the UK possesses effective countermeasures, such as Wildcat helicopters equipped with machine guns designed to combat drone swarms. However, experts stress that these capabilities must be paired with enhanced surveillance and early detection systems.

Tim Ripley, a senior analyst at Defence Eye, noted the challenge of detecting vessels that may disable their automatic identification systems to avoid radar tracking. He called for expanded air and maritime patrols to identify potential threats and coordinate timely defensive actions.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting highlighted the significance of integrating the Protector drone with Royal Navy assets to bolster monitoring efforts. In a statement, he said the deployment demonstrates ongoing innovation to deter threats and respond to provocations near UK shores.