RAF deploys Protector drone over English Channel to monitor Russian naval activity

The Royal Air Force has revealed that the RAF Protector drone has achieved a new role in tracking Russian naval activities. The RAF Protector RG1 has flown its first operational sorties in British airspace, providing surveillance over the English Channel.

The unarmed Protector worked with Royal Navy warships and helicopters to monitor and track Russian warships for more than ten hours, “demonstrating the UK’s round-the-clock monitoring and deterrence of Russian activity in and around our waters.”

In its statement, the Royal Navy noted, “The milestone came as Royal Navy warships and helicopters carried out a series of operations monitoring Russian vessels in the English Channel, North Sea and waters west of Scotland.”

Between October 1st and 14th, the HMS Dauntless destroyer and HMS Tyne offshore patrol vessel monitored the Russian frigate RFN Neustrashimy in the English Channel. It was at this time that the Protector conducted its first operations to assist the Royal Navy in British airspace.

The Royal Air Force’s new Protector

The Protector is based on the General Atomics MQ-9 SkyGuardian. One of the key advantages of Protector over the now-retired Reaper is its ability to operate in civilian air traffic due to its certification to NATO/UK military airworthiness standards.

Protector contributes persistent intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance coverage, although they are also integrated with MBDA Brimstone 3A and Raytheon UK Paveway IV munitions. The RAF has purchased 16 Protector aircraft with ground control stations.

During 2026, the Protector has been extensively operating in the Middle East and has recently passed 1,000 operational hours in the region. This is the first time that the new drone has been operationally deployed in UK airspace.

Russia’s increased movements around Britain

The Royal Navy monitored Russian naval activity in the English Channel, North Sea, and west of Scotland between late September and mid-October, with HMS Tyne, HMS Dauntless, and Wildcat and Merlin helicopters. The RAF Protector RG1 aircraft is now also contributing.

Secretary of State for Defence, Rt Hon Wes Streeting MP, said, “For the first time, Protector has joined Royal Navy warships and helicopters monitoring activity around our shores…” He added that it demonstrates how Britain is constantly innovating to monitor and deter threats and provocation.

According to the Royal Navy, Russian movements in the first seven months of 2026 have increased by 25% compared with the same period last year.

To meet the growing threat, the UK is planning to increase defence spending to 3% of GDP by 2030 and to 3.5% by 2035.