Britain has sent a newly developed, low-cost anti-drone missile to RAF operations in the Middle East as the UK intensifies its efforts to protect its Gulf state allies.
The Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) has been hurried into service, moving from trials to operations in less than two months, to be carried by Typhoon fighter jets in the Gulf.
At about $20,000 a shot, APKWS is designed to counter hostile drones at a fraction of the cost of competitor air-to-air weapons.
British officials say the system represents a major shift in how the UK responds to the increasingly common use of low-cost drone builds by adversaries across the region.
APKWS uses lasers to convert unguided 70mm Hydra rockets into precision weapons. By comparison, conventional air defence missiles can cost a hundred times more than the drones they are designed to destroy.
Luke Pollard, UK Minister for Defence Procurement, said the rapid deployment of APKWS should strengthen Britain’s ability to respond to the likes of the Shahed-136 drone used by Iran and its proxies.
“The RAF is defending partners across the Middle East while ensuring British forces can counter drone attacks more effectively and at much lower cost,” he said.
Autonomous wingmen
On Friday, British ministers announced the establishment of a system of autonomous drones to accompany the Apache helicopter fleet.
They are being developed under Project NYX. The British Army’s concept demonstrator programme aimed at creating uncrewed air systems capable of operating as “loyal wingmen” to Apache crews on a range of missions. These include reconnaissance, precision strike, target acquisition and electronic warfare.
If these prove successful, the aim is to field an operational variant for use by 2030.
A statement said the drones were designed to be fully autonomous with Apache pilots benefiting from the information they provide. All decisions which result in the use of weapons will continue to be made by a human.
Middle East deployment
British aircraft have flown more than 2,500 operational hours in the Middle East since the Iran conflict began.
The UK has also expanded its wider regional air defence network, with air defence systems including Sky Sabre in Saudi Arabia and the Lightweight Multirole Missile in Bahrain, as well as the Rapid Sentry and Orcus systems in Kuwait.
The announcement follows a separate Ministry of Defence agreement to buy Skyhammer interceptor missiles designed to face Shahed-style drones.
Defence officials said the latest developments highlight Britain’s long-term commitment to Gulf security at a time when drone warfare is rapidly reshaping the regional battlefield.
