An RAF Typhoon fighter jet has shot down a drone in Syria.
The incident is the first time Britain has shot down an enemy aircraft since the Falklands War it has been reported.
The fighter jet in Syria shot down the target near al-Tanf coalition base in the country’s south on Tuesday. It is part of a US-led coalition according to reports.
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “This strike is an impressive demonstration of the RAF’s ability to take out hostile targets in the air which pose a threat to our forces.
‘We continue to do everything we can alongside our coalition partners to stamp out the terrorist threat and protect our personnel and our partners”
The engagement took place on 14 December when the drone activity was detected above the At Tanf Coalition base in Syria. As the drone continued on its track, it became clear it posed a threat to Coalition forces.
RAF Typhoons conducting routine patrols in the area were tasked to investigate. Despite the small size of the drone making it a very challenging target, it was successfully shot down using an Advanced Short Range Air to Air Missile (ASRAAM) and the threat eliminated – a tribute to the skill and professionalism of Royal Air Force pilots.
