Great Britain starts its own combat drone program

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Soon to be supported by unmanned escort drones?

A Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet

Photo: SAC ED WRIGHT RAF / BRITISH MINISTRY OF DEFENSE / HANDOUT / EPA-EFE / REX / Shutterstock

Great Britain wants to send its own combat drones into use soon - and has now placed a major order with a manufacturer in Belfast.

The company Spirit AeroSystems has been commissioned to develop an unmanned combat drone, according to a statement from the British Ministry of Defense.

The first test flight should start within three years, the deal is £ 30 million (equivalent to 34 million euros).

The Royal Air Force already owns F-35 fighter jets and Typhoon-class fighter jets.

According to the Defense Ministry, the drones will in future be able to stand by fighter pilots as a “loyal wingman” - in English: “faithful companion” - and be able to shoot down enemy aircraft independently.

If the test phase is successful, the combat drones could already be used within a decade.

Defense Secretary Jeremy Quin said the project would strengthen Great Britain's "future air force" and strengthen the country's role as one of the "world leaders in new technologies".

End the "era of retreat"

The order is part of a larger investment program with which Great Britain claims to end its "era of withdrawal".

Last November, an additional 1.5 billion pounds (just under 1.7 billion euros) were made available for military research and developments on the military budget, which was already increased.

The Ministry of Defense announced at the time that there has been no higher budget since the end of the Cold War.

The increase in the British defense budget should be seen as a clear signal to allies, especially the US.

The package is part of Prime Minister Boris Johnson's "Global Britain" strategy, which is intended to strengthen the United Kingdom internationally after Brexit and to better network it worldwide. 

The EU is also working on armed combat drones, but has not yet developed a common position.

Germany is already using drones for reconnaissance on missions abroad such as in Afghanistan or Mali.

But whether the drones should also shoot in an emergency is controversial within the federal government.

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mrc / Reuters