I have to admit to a sense of pride whenever a “drone flap” kicks off in Europe and the RAF is called in to investigate. It’s a recurring pattern: the moment they show up, the drones mysteriously vanish. It seems the mere threat of their arrival is enough to clear the skies.

However, I’m still a bit miffed that my old haunt from the 80s—63 Squadron—has been transitioned into the RAF Regiment. Seeing the change earns a bit of a “mutter and grumble” from me.

The story so far needs a place to live for future reference. I think this is a fairly comprehensive list. Do let me know if I missed any.

The RAF Regiment’s role in counter-drone operations is a modern extension of its historical mandate to provide low-level air defence for RAF airfields. The core of this capability lies with 34 Squadron RAF Regiment, which was formed at RAF Yatesbury on 19 November 1951. The squadron initially provided close air defence using 40mm Bofors guns during the Suez Canal Crisis and later in Cyprus during the EOKA terrorist campaign. During the cold war, it converted to a light armoured role using Scorpion combat vehicles before returning to ground-based air defence.

The defining shift in the squadron’s history occurred in the summer of 2022, when 34 Squadron officially re-roled as a dedicated counter-uncrewed aircraft system unit. Today, alongside 63 Squadron RAF Regiment and the 609 Royal Auxiliary Air Force Regiment, it forms the No 2 Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing based at RAF Leeming. Operating under the Global Enablement and Combat Readiness Force commands, the wing is currently the only fixed-site counter-drone capability for UK defence.

The counter-drone arsenal: detect, disrupt, and destroy

The RAF’s counter-drone scheme is built upon a layered detect, disrupt, and destroy methodology, designed to preserve air operations and protect infrastructure. The equipment encompasses several highly integrated technologies.

ORCUS: Emerging from the Defence Equipment and Support’s Project Synergia, ORCUS is the UK military’s specific configuration of Leonardo’s Falcon Shield. Designed to defeat low, slow, and small threats, the modular system fuses 3D multi-mode surveillance radar with radio frequency direction finding. For visual confirmation, it employs the NERIO-ULR gyro-stabilised turret, which features high-definition daytime and thermal cameras to provide positive identification at extreme ranges.

NINJA: Developed by the US Air Force Research Laboratory and integrated into ORCUS by Leonardo, NINJA provides a surgical cyber effect. It electronically takes command of a hostile drone by hijacking its radio frequency links, allowing RAF operators to safely land the rogue drone for forensic exploitation.

Guardian: Acting as a long-range electronic sniper rifle, the Leonardo Guardian system provides an additional electronic warfare layer by jamming a drone’s command and control or GPS navigation links.

Rapid Sentry: When electronic soft-kills are insufficient against autonomous or swarming drones, the RAF relies on Rapid Sentry. This kinetic system fires the Lightweight Multirole Missile manufactured by Thales UK. Capable of speeds above Mach 1.5, the laser beam-riding missile can destroy fast-moving aerial threats at ranges exceeding 6km.

Shadow ISTAR: In complex environments, the ground-based sensors are reinforced by Shadow R1 and R2 reconnaissance aircraft, which use advanced electro-optical and electronic intelligence suites from high altitude to track drones back to their operators on the ground.

Timeline of deployments (2018 to 2026)

The RAF’s counter-drone framework has evolved rapidly from domestic civil-contingency support to a high-readiness expeditionary combat force.

December 2018: The RAF deployed an early Leonardo predecessor to the ORCUS system to locate drones. Shortly afterwards, the system was deployed to London Heathrow Airport.

June 2021: ORCUS systems, operated by the RAF Regiment, were deployed to the G7 summit in Carbis Bay, Cornwall.

August 2021: The integration of the US NINJA technology into the ORCUS system was successfully evaluated at the RAF Spadeadam electronic warfare range in Cumbria.

Summer 2022: The counter-drone framework was activated as a national standby capability to monitor airspace during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee and the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.

November 2024: US Air Force bases in the UK, specifically RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell. The Combat Readiness Force deployed approximately 60 personnel with the ORCUS system. They were supported by Shadow ISTAR aircraft from RAF Waddington and US F-15E Strike Eagles.

October 2025: The threat expanded into hybrid warfare against NATO allies. A specialist team from No 2 Counter-Uncrewed Aerial Systems Wing deployed to Copenhagen, Denmark, at the Danish government’s request, securing two major European summits.

November 2025: An RAF detachment deployed to Belgium to protect sensitive sites, including airports in Brussels and Liege, and military bases such as Kleine-Brogel.

February to March 2026: The mission transitioned into active kinetic combat. Following an Iranian-made Shahed-type drone strike on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, the RAF deployed the Rapid Sentry system to the region. On the night of 23 to 24 March 2026, RAF Regiment gunners executed the most effective defensive action to date against persistent one-way attack drones. During this period, four gunners achieved historic drone ace status by successfully shooting down five or more hostile drones.

April 2026: Amidst escalating conflict in the Middle East, the UK deployed the Rapid Sentry system to Kuwait. The deployment aimed to defend critical national infrastructure, including an oil refinery at Mina al-Ahmadi and a vital water desalination plant, following deliberate drone and missile strikes by Iran.