A Royal Air Force Reaper unmanned aircraft has taken out an Islamic State drone operator and his drone on the ground.
On Sunday the 14th January, a Reaper spotted a drone team identified during the week by other aircraft; on this occasion, the extremists attempted to conceal themselves in a building, but could be seen controlling the drone from the top-floor window.
A Hellfire missile was directed accurately through the window say the Ministry of Defence.
By September 2017, the Ministry of Defence had announced that over 1,000 personnel were engaged in theatre and that the Royal Air Force had conducted around 900 airstrikes, flying over 2,200 sorties, killing 3,000 Islamic State fighters.
It was recently reported that the Royal Air Force is operating at its most intense for 25 years in a single theatre of operation which far outstripped the UK involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan – RAF jets have dropped 11 times more bombs (1,276 strikes) on Syria and Iraq in the preceding 12 months than they had in the busiest year of action in Afghanistan a decade previously.
The MoD says the operation has cost the UK taxpayers £265 million so far.
This got me excited for a moment because I thought it was the RAF’s first air-to-air kill since 1947/48. (When an Egyptian Spitfire was the victim).
“A Royal Air Force Reaper unmanned aircraft has taken out an Islamic State drone …… ON THE GROUND”
Of course that doesn’t include kills scored by RAF pilots flying for other services (ie USAF, FAA) over Korean and the Falklands.
Or indeed the Jaguar GR1 shot-down by a Sidewinder fired from a Phantom FGR2 over West Germany during 1982!
What about the Falklands war? I’m pretty sure there was a few air to air kills there.
Yes, between 20 – 23 air-to-air kills, but the Sea Harriers were flown by RN FAA squadrons – 800, 801 & 809 squadrons. (Albeit some RAF pilots were serving in those units through exchange tours).
The RAF was responsible for no air-to-air kills in the Falklands; although GR3s from No.1 squadron did account for the destruction of some Argentinian helicopters during ground strafing runs with their 30 mm cannons.
Fleet Air Arm (FAA) with some RAF attached.
Surely it’s better that the RAF destroy potential enemy aircraft , drones etc before they get into the air ?
The above statement: “It was recently reported that the Royal Air Force is operating at its most intense for 25 years in a single theatre of operation which far outstripped the UK involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan.” is factually incorrect. The only truth is that the RAF have dropped or used more guided weapons than during both the Iraq and Afghan conflicts combined. Operationally, the RAF conducted more sorties during the 10 year period in Afghan, the Syria conflict isn’t in the same league! It seems the Lords and Masters at the MOD forget that the RAF also operate transport… Read more »
Yep, another often repeated piece of tosh.
I don’t understand this constant anti RAF crap.
All our services have an equal part to play and to me the RAF is as important as the RN.
Hi Daniele, If you’re referring to my original post, then the intention was certainly not
“anti-RAF”. Just trying to open up a potentially interesting thread; but hey – you win some, you lose some! LOL
Understood!
Interesting facts nonetheless. I’m intrigued by the Jaguar incident.