'Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System' deployed to Middle East to shoot drones with jets aiding HMS Dragon

New missile systems are being deployed to the Middle East to shoot down drones - with RAF Typhoon jets set to bolster the presence of HMS Dragon.

The 'Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System' aims to provide a cheaper anti-drone capability that protects British citizens and allied nations in the region. It will be fitted to RAF Typhoon fighter jets in an effort to eliminate targets at a lower cost.

The UK is increasing its presence in the Middle East, with Britain and other European nations organising assets to keep the Strait of Hormuz open should a peace deal be agreed between Iran and the US-Israeli coalition. HMS Dragon, a Portsmouth-based Type 45 destroyer, is pre-positioning in the region alongside the Typhoons.

Minister for defence readiness and industry Luke Pollard MP said: “This has been a superb effort working with industry to test and deploy this system in a matter of months, which will help the RAF shoot down many more drones at a much lower cost. Our Typhoon fleet is the backbone of UK and NATO air defence, with the RAF protecting European’s Eastern flank from Russian drone incursions and defending our partners across the Middle East.”

Experts at the Ministry of Defence (MoD) and QinetiQ joined forces to develop the system rapidly and conduct various tests. It moved from testing to deployment in less than two months. A successful test strike on a ground-based target took place in March, with RAF pilots from 41 Test and Evaluation Squadron conducted successful air-to-air firing in April, demonstrating the system’s ability to defend against drone attacks.

The system has been deployed to the Middle East, with sorties flown by 9 Squadron RAF Typhoon fighter jets. The APKWS uses a laser targeting system which turns unguided missiles into low-cost precision weapons able to take down enemy drones and other threats.

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Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director BAE Systems Air sector, said: “Our priority is to ensure the Royal Air Force and its allies have the advanced technologies they need today and into the future, to keep them ahead of evolving threats. This capability demonstrates Typhoon’s exceptional versatility and underlines its continued role as the backbone of combat air across Europe and the Middle East.”

Steve Wadey, Group Chief Executive Officer, QinetiQ, said: “From engineering expertise to live trials, our teams are providing the fundamental support needed by our armed forces, to deliver the urgent capabilities that ensure the UK and its allies remain safe and warfighting ready.”

Pilots and aircrew have surpassed 2,500 flying hours since the conflict in the region began, equivalent to over three months of continuous flying on defensive missions. UK ground-based and helicopter-based air defence assets are also deployed to the region, including the Sky Sabre system in Saudi Arabia, the Lightweight Multirole Missile in Bahrain, and the Rapid Sentry and ORCUS systems in Kuwait.

Air Commodore Donal McGurk, Air 11 Group Deputy Director Operations: “We welcome the speed of development and meticulous testing behind the deployment of these missile systems for use on our Typhoons. They are a valuable addition to the air defence package we are already employing with agility across the Middle East.”