British soldiers will be given new powers to shoot down drones that threaten military bases.
The plans, to be revealed by Defense Secretary John Healey in a speech on Monday, are aimed at allowing troops to take faster and more decisive action.
Four British air bases used by US forces reported mysterious drone sightings last year, while drones have disrupted airspace across Europe several times in recent months.
The new powers will only apply to military sites, but could be extended to civilian locations such as airports.
Healey is about to announce the introduction of a “kinetic option”, first reported by the Daily Telegraph, which would allow British troops or Ministry of Defense (MoD) police to fire at drones that pose a threat to a military site in the UK.
Existing protocol requires soldiers to divert drones or disrupt their GPS signal using anti-drone equipment.
Shooting down an unidentified drone is only permitted in extreme circumstances.
RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire reported drone raids in November last year.
Around 60 RAF personnel were sent to assist the US Air Force in their investigation.
Neither US nor UK officials have said who might have been behind the drone activity.
Air bases are strategically important to the US military. Recently deployed F-22A fighter jets to RAF Lakenheath, days after the US bombing of Iranian nuclear facilities in June.
Recent drone sightings across the European Union prompted a leaders’ summit in Denmark earlier this month.
Several EU member states have backed plans for a multi-layered “drone wall” to quickly detect, track and destroy Russian drones.
Twenty Russian drones crossed into Poland in September, while Russian MiG-31 aircraft entered Estonian airspace at the end of the month. Russia has denied or downplayed the incursions.
Other recent drone sightings have also forced the closure of numerous European airports, including Munich, Germany, for two consecutive days.
Airports in Denmark and Norway also closed after unidentified drones were detected near airports and military airspace.
Russia denied any involvement, while Danish authorities said there was no evidence Moscow was involved.
