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UK Deploys Anti-Drone Missile System on Middle East Typhoons

5/17/2026

Summary

**UK Deploys DroneKill**

UK deployed Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System on RAF Typhoon jets in Middle East.
The missile converts rockets into weapons against drones and costs $20,000 per shot.
Minister Luke Pollard and Commodore Donal McGurk said the system will let RAF shoot down drones and add a layer.
Ministry of Defence moved the system from testing to operational use in under two months and added Sky Sabre in Saudi Arabia to Gulf network.

Summary

**UAE Intercepts Missiles**

UAE intercepted 2,000 drones, 438 ballistic missiles and 19 cruise missiles, while Iran has launched missiles and drones at regional states since the war began.
Qatar is seeking to buy 10,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System units from the United States.
Cypriot authorities suspect Iran-backed Hezbollah after a drone hit RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus in March.
A ceasefire introduced last month has been largely observed despite occasional fire exchanges.

Summary

**UK Expands Arsenal**

In January the Ministry of Defence committed over £650 million to upgrade the RAF Typhoon fleet, securing over 1,500 UK jobs.
The UK signed a multi-million-pound contract for Skyhammer interceptor missiles and placed assets including Sky Sabre in Saudi Arabia, Lightweight Multirole Missile in Bahrain and Rapid Sentry/ORCUS in Kuwait on high readiness.
Defence spending will rise to 2.6 % of GDP from 2027, the biggest sustained increase since the Cold War.

History

Historical Context

The Patriot entered combat in January 1991, where over 40 Scud attempts produced no confirmed hits, prompting the U.S. to pursue upgrades and export the system. NATO now plans to buy about 1,000 missiles under a $5.5 billion contract, and the United Kingdom and United Arab Emirates are expanding their Patriot inventories, reflecting the Gulf-War legacy.

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**UK Deploys DroneKill**

UK deployed Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System on RAF Typhoon jets in Middle East.
The missile converts rockets into weapons against drones and costs $20,000 per shot.
Minister Luke Pollard and Commodore Donal McGurk said the system will let RAF shoot down drones and add a layer.
Ministry of Defence moved the system from testing to operational use in under two months and added Sky Sabre in Saudi Arabia to Gulf network.

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