Overview
- The Ministry of Defence, which announced the honors Saturday, credited four RAF Regiment gunners as the unit’s first aces after each logged at least five confirmed shoot-downs.
- Officials said the targets were Iranian one-way attack drones aimed at UK and allied personnel, bases and equipment across the Middle East.
- The gunners used early-warning sensors, electronic warfare tools, and Rapid Sentry launchers that fire Lightweight Multirole Missiles made by Thales in Belfast.
- Defence leaders said Rapid Sentry will deploy to Kuwait and the UK will buy more LMMs to strengthen base defense for British forces and regional partners.
- RAF commanders reported continuous counter-drone patrols since late February, called March 23–24 the most effective single night so far, and noted some newly named aces are as young as 18 and operating under fire.