Drones deployed to track Russian vessels in English Channel for first time

Image shows the Royal Air Forces (RAF) newest aircraft, Protector RG Mk1, a remotely piloted aircraft system aircraft conducting its first flight in the UK skies from RAF Waddington on 17th November, marking another important milestone in the delivery of the surveillance, intelligence, and precision strike aircraft to the front line. The first of 16 remotely piloted Protector aircraft arrived at RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire in September and is undergoing a series of rigorous trials and tests before entering the RAF fleet. Capable of operating across the world with a minimal deployed footprint and remotely piloted from RAF Waddington, it can operate at heights up to 40,000 feet with an endurance of over 30 hours. Protector, the largest and most advanced remotely piloted aircraft flown in UK airspace, successfully taxied and flew a series of circuits around RAF Waddington airfield, at all times under the control of a pilot through a ground-based advanced cockpit. Equipped with a suite of surveillance equipment, the Protector aircraft will bring a critical global surveillance capability for the UK, all while being remotely piloted from RAF Waddington. In addition to accepting the Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) roles currently undertaken by Reaper, which has provided exceptional service on operations around the clock for more than 15 years, Protector will be certified to stringent NATO safety and certification standards allowing it to operate in the UK and European civilian airspace. Arrival of 15 further aircraft from General Atomics in the US into the UK will be a phased delivery over the coming years. All aircraft are expected to be delivered and in-service by Jul 2025.

The Royal Air Force (RAF) is using a powerful drone to keep an eye on Russian warships lurking near the English Channel for the first time.

The unarmed cutting-edge craft is one of 16 unmanned models ordered by the RAF, part of an 11-strong fleet.

During the first half of October, HMS Dauntless and HMS Tune monitored a Russian frigate, a warship designed to scout or patrol.

Commander Neil Skinner, of HMS Dauntless, said they spotted the RFN Neustrashimy transiting through the Channel.

Tracking such boats, he added, ‘contributes to the wider maritime picture and supports UK maritime security’.

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RAF Protector RG1 has flown its first operational sorties in UK airspace, providing surveillance over the English Channel between 14 and 16 Oct 26. The remotely piloted aircraft tracked a Russian warship for more than 10 hours. Protector joined Royal Navy warships and helicopters routine monitoring Russian vessels around the UK.
RAF Protector RG1 has flown its first operational sorties in UK airspace, providing surveillance over the English Channel between 14 and 16 Oct 26. The remotely piloted aircraft tracked a Russian warship for more than 10 hours. Protector joined Royal Navy warships and helicopters routine monitoring Russian vessels around the UK.
13 Oct 2026 - HMS Tyne (bottom) intercepts RFN Aleksandr Shabalin as she escorts a cargo ship and tug. Royal Navy intercepts Russian intelligence vessel and warships across three intensive operations Royal Navy warships and helicopters have completed three focused operations across 17 days to monitor Russian activity in UK waters. HMS Tyne and HMS Dauntless along with Wildcat and Merlin helicopters were all dispatched to report on Russian movements during the final days of September and opening two weeks of October. Type 45 destroyer Dauntless and patrol ship Tyne were tasked from 1-14 October to report on the movements of RFN Neustrashimy, as the Russian frigate escorted sanctioned cargo ships through the English Channel. The Russians have been forced to deploy the warship over the last three months to protect their illegal shipments, with the UK a strong leader in tackling Russia???s shadow fleet ??? having sanctioned more than 500 vessels and seized tanker Smyrtos in June. Meanwhile, Merlin helicopters were deployed at short notice from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland to conduct Operation Iceblast. From 29 September until the 8 October, the Merlins utilised their powerful sensors to keep track of Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering ship Viktor Leonov in the Outer Hebrides. The Russian ship was closely monitoring NATO warships taking part in allied training, Exercise Strike Warrior, off the coast of Scotland that involved more than 2,000 personnel from six nations.

What is the Protector RG Mk1?

The drone can reach speeds of up to 390mph and fly at an altitude of nearly 40,000ft.

The Protector RG1 can fly for up to 40 hours, according to the RAF, and is controlled from afar by personnel at RAF Waddington, Lincolnshire.

It’s a British take on the American MQ-9B drone, fitted with Paveway guided bombs and ‘fire-and-forget’ missiles called Brimstone. 

The missiles rely on AI and sensors to distinguish between tanks and public transport vehicles without human oversight

RAF helicopters also tracked a Russian intelligence-gathering ship operating near Nato units and a Russian landing ship in the Channel.

The Kremlin has increasingly used drones, zipping remote-controlled aircraft in Denmark, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway and Poland.

A senior military commander told the MailOnline that Moscow’s drones could be launched within minutes from a ship off the British coast.

‘We need more aircraft in the air and ships at sea – it doesn’t matter how small the ships are, they simply need to monitor vessels,’ they said.

The Royal Navy’s anti-Russian monitoring activity increased 25% during the first seven months of this year, the MoD said in August.

Moscow was caught last month ‘rehearsing’ attacks on a vast undersea cable network in the Arctic that powers the UK’s internet.

13 Oct 2026 - HMS Tyne (left) intercepts RFN Aleksandr Shabalin as she escorts a cargo ship and tug. Royal Navy intercepts Russian intelligence vessel and warships across three intensive operations Royal Navy warships and helicopters have completed three focused operations across 17 days to monitor Russian activity in UK waters. HMS Tyne and HMS Dauntless along with Wildcat and Merlin helicopters were all dispatched to report on Russian movements during the final days of September and opening two weeks of October. Type 45 destroyer Dauntless and patrol ship Tyne were tasked from 1-14 October to report on the movements of RFN Neustrashimy, as the Russian frigate escorted sanctioned cargo ships through the English Channel. The Russians have been forced to deploy the warship over the last three months to protect their illegal shipments, with the UK a strong leader in tackling Russia???s shadow fleet ??? having sanctioned more than 500 vessels and seized tanker Smyrtos in June. Meanwhile, Merlin helicopters were deployed at short notice from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall to Glasgow Prestwick Airport in Scotland to conduct Operation Iceblast. From 29 September until the 8 October, the Merlins utilised their powerful sensors to keep track of Vishnya-class intelligence-gathering ship Viktor Leonov in the Outer Hebrides. The Russian ship was closely monitoring NATO warships taking part in allied training, Exercise Strike Warrior, off the coast of Scotland that involved more than 2,000 personnel from six nations.
This photo taken in La Seyne-sur-Marne harbour on October 7, 2025, shows shows internet cables onboard the "Sophie Germain" cable boat of "Orange Marine". This new vessel is the first of its generation designed specifically for repairing various types of submarine cables, whether fiber optic telecommunications cables or intra-network power cables for wind farms. (Photo by Miguel MEDINA / AFP) (Photo by MIGUEL MEDINA/AFP via Getty Images)

While 500 incidents of Russian fishing trawlers ‘spying’ on these have been documented, The Telegraph reported last month.

Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘Our Armed Forces work together every day, around the clock, to keep our country safe and safeguard our national interests.

‘For the first time, Protector has joined Royal Navy warships and helicopters monitoring activity around our shores, demonstrating how we are constantly innovating to monitor and deter threats and irresponsible provocation.’

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