RAF jets nearly hit mystery drones over UK

• Royal Air Force jets reported two near-miss encounters with unidentified drones flying above 10,000ft over Norfolk and Humberside earlier this year.
• The incidents occurred during simulated combat training and an air-to-air refuelling exercise, well above the UK Civil Aviation Authority's standard 400ft height limit.
• Multiple external investigations and police inquiries are ongoing, although it is not yet clear whether the drones were hostile.
• The Ministry of Defence highlighted that it is investing more than £2 billion into wider air defence and counter-drone capabilities to address potential threats.
• The encounters follow a sharp rise in security incidents, with 340 drone-related incidents reported at or near MoD sites in the year to August 2026.

IN FULL