Top RAF pilots have been practising shooting down remote controlled drone missiles off the coast of Scotland -- as concern grows over the usage of the tech in Ukraine.
Aeronauts in Typhoon and Lightning jets carried out what the air force has called the "largest ever mass-firing" of advanced short range air-to-air missiles, known as Asraams, over the course of 10 days. Eight squadrons were involved in the training exercise, including pilots based at RAF Lossiemouth, which saw 53 missiles launched at Banshee target drones.
All of the targets were successfully destroyed in mid-air. Defence chiefs say the training exercise "develops confidence" in the use of missiles that can bring down smaller explosive payloads before they can reach their target.
They also believe the exercise was useful for support crews who are responsible for loading live weapons, and for the junior pilots who could be expected to command such arsenals in future.
A pilot based at Lossiemouth told the RAF: "It surpassed all expectations of what my first live firing exercise on the Typhoon would be. Selecting the weapon and knowing a live missile would come off the rail was a unique moment; hearing the missile tone and pulling the trigger, followed by a large whoosh sound and a slight wobble of the aircraft was fantastic.
"Watching the missile disappear into the sky in front of me was a moment to remember; it really is impressive how fast the Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles can go. The experience has given me a real appreciation of the capability of the missile and how it can be employed in a real combat situation."
While the live fire exercise has not been directly attributed to events in Ukraine and took place last month, the timing could not be more appropriate. The UK Government issued sanctions against Iran this week after it emerged the Middle East nation was supplying Russia with so-called "kamikaze drones".
Russian forces have been using the explosive drones as a cheaper and more plentiful alternative to missiles in order to attack Ukrainian infrastructure and weaken the country's defences. The Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office said Iran was "actively warmongering" and profiting from Russia's attacks on Ukraine.
Foreign secretary James Cleverly said this week: "These cowardly drone strikes are an act of desperation. By enabling these strikes, these individuals and a manufacturer have caused the people of Ukraine untold suffering."
The UN is considering whether to investigate the use of the drones, prompting anger from Russia.
The UK Government also said earlier this month that it would be donating Amraam missiles - longer range versions of the weapons tested by the RAF - to Ukraine in order to help it counter attacks from explosive drones.
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