On Tuesday, 18 June 2024, a Royal Air Force (RAF) Reaper drone successfully carried out an airstrike in the Syrian desert, targeting a known Daesh terrorist.
Details of the strike were released today by the Ministry of Defence.
The strike is part of the UK’s ongoing involvement in international efforts to prevent the resurgence of the terrorist organisation in both Syria and Iraq.
The Reaper, a remotely piloted aircraft armed with Hellfire missiles, tracked the individual on foot in a remote area.
In the announcement, the MoD say that after ensuring there were no civilians in the vicinity, the crew executed a precise strike, eliminating the target. According to the Ministry of Defence, “Having confirmed that there were no civilians in the area that might be placed at risk, the Reaper’s crew conducted a successful strike on this individual.”
The Hellfire missile, used in this operation, is a laser-guided, air-to-ground missile designed for precision targeting. Initially developed for anti-armour purposes, it has become essential in counter-terrorism missions due to its accuracy, making it ideal for targeting individuals or small groups while minimising the risk of collateral damage.
This mission forms part of Operation Shader, the UK’s long-standing involvement in the global coalition against Daesh, which began in 2014. Operation Shader has seen RAF aircraft deployed in Iraq and Syria, conducting numerous airstrikes, surveillance operations, and providing support to local forces in the ongoing battle against Daesh.
Rest in pieces
The delay in making this announcement is noteworthy. How the individual was identified with such certainty would be also interesting to learn, but that might reveal where they were from …
Quite possibly “British”
I’d guess they were under surveillance for weeks/months, using ground based and airborne persistent assets like Reaper.
This linked to geolocation of any electronic devices they were stupid enough to use, like a mobile phone, see Airhandler, or Crossbow for IMINT.
These can all be run and cross referenced in realtime from I think 2 UK locations.
The capability and power of 5 Eyes. 👌
My thought also. Possibly ‘phoning home (sic)’ once too often. Evidently worth the large sum of an expensive missile so no mere spear carrier either.
I hope we get Brimstone or Spear 3 integrated on the new Protectors.
Dam expensive way to kill one person, surely there are far cheaper options in taking these individuals out? Not a good return for the Tax pounds.
What do you think would be cheaper? In the £ vs Risk vs Reward calculation, this option is probably the highest scoring balance wise.
Much cheaper. But this has a greater chance of success and might not add risk to any personnel on the ground.
Lots of options out there that could be added to the drone and used, this is using a sledge hammer to crack and nut.
Hi Angus. What did you have in mind? I’m not aware of Reapers being cleared for Rockets or gun pods?
They are indeed nuts, evil ones at that. I’ve no issues with a Hellfire helping them meet their 72 Virgins.
Stabilized 12.7 sniper rifle in the drone?
Exactly. A ridiculous situation with a high chance of missing.
What else has the precision and the persistent to pull this off in such a remote area without troops on the ground? And is cheap.
Same as in Ukraine.. a Queen Drone, able to carry 1 or 2 FPV drones , and drop them off near a target and attack
That would be cheaper🤔
But we don’t have troops on the ground in Syria to operate such drones. Plus , they have the persistence to find a target in the first place. I don’t know the range or endurance of such queen drones, though.
A drone could carry different specifications of light supersonic missiles to guided free fall bomb and use accordingly, factor in cost and capability required. I’m unsure if getting into decades of drone policing is desirable in long term but again how do we exit? If uk national well there is less sadness bluntly.
Keep the Reapers as well when the Protectors come in? I know, what am I like.😏
My plea too. Won’t happen.
Nope. We can dream. 😔
One terrorist, one hellfire missile! Storm Shadow not available then?!!!