raf voyager prime minister

Switch language:

Everything you need to know about UK PM’s rebranded private aircraft

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) last week revealed the new Union Flag livery of its VIP Voyager aircraft used to transport the Prime Minister and senior officials to overseas visits. But the Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport also remains an operational air-to-air refuelling and strategic transport aircraft.

• Share on Linkedin
• Share on Facebook

Repainted for £900,000 the VIP Voyager is also available to transport the British Royal Family on overseas visits. The RAF and the Government have said that the aircraft new UK paint scheme would promote the UK and the mission of ‘global Britain’.

When not being used for transporting members of the Government the VIP ‘Vespina’ Voyager remains an active part of the UK’s air-to-air refuelling and personnel transport fleet. The RAF said the new paint scheme stemmed from refurbishment plans laid down in the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR).

Go deeper with GlobalData

Internet Of Things in Aerospace, Defence & Security: Aircraft Stowa...

Internet of things in aerospace, defence & security: aircraft power..., premium insights.

The gold standard of business intelligence.

Find out more

Related Company Profiles

Ministry of defence, raf sa de cv, royal saudi air force, government (inactive).

The officer in charge of the project, RAF Air Commodore Simon Edwards said: “This project was a privilege to have been involved in and I am delighted to have seen it delivered so quickly and efficiently, together with our industry partners. The aircraft’s new paint scheme will better reflect its prestige role which we are proud to undertake.”

As the aircraft is part of the RAF, funding for the project came from the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) budget. In a written answer to Parliament, Defence Minister Jeremy Quinn said the RAF had ‘not raised any security implications’ in regards to the new paint scheme.

The VIP Voyager has been used for 25 ministerial trips since April 2016.

How well do you really know your competitors?

Access the most comprehensive Company Profiles on the market, powered by GlobalData. Save hours of research. Gain competitive edge.

Your download email will arrive shortly

Not ready to buy yet? Download a free sample

We are confident about the unique quality of our Company Profiles. However, we want you to make the most beneficial decision for your business, so we offer a free sample that you can download by submitting the below form

All about the Voyager

The Voyager or Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT), is an Airbus-built tanker and personnel transport built on the body of the company’s commercial Airbus A330 passenger airliner.

The aircraft’s primary users include the RAF, Royal Saudi Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force and the United Arab Emirates Air Force.

In the UK, the RAF operates two variants; the KC2 Voyager which is equipped with two underwing refuelling pods, and the KC3 Voyager which adds a centreline hose that can be used to refuel larger aircraft like strategic bombers.

Unlike some aerial refuelling aircraft which include extra fuel tanks, the Voyager uses its existing fuel tankers for aerial refuelling; this means that the aircraft seating capacity and cargo hold are available for personnel and equipment or in the case of the VIP Voyager, official travel.

The VIP Voyager can carry 111 tonnes of aircraft fuel.

VIP Voyager on operations

Shortly after returning to RAF Brize Norton following its repainting, the VIP Voyager aircraft took part in Exercise Crimson Ocean where it refuelled Eurofighter Typhoons and Lockheed Martin F-35s while sporting its new livery.

Commenting on the exercise and the aircraft RAF Wing Commander Alistair Scott said: “The new livery looks superb but the reality is that flying this aircraft is no different to any of the other aircraft that make up the Voyager Force.

“It is capable of conducting the same essential defence tasks, not least of which is the air-to-air refuelling role that allows us to deploy our Typhoon and Lightning aircraft to every corner of the globe. Taking part in Exercise Crimson Ocean is a great opportunity to show what Voyager can do.”

No, the flag is not the wrong way round

When the aircraft paint job was revealed some were quick to believe that the Union Flag on the aircraft’s tail was the wrong way round, however, in reality, that is not the case.

The tail flag is designed to look as though it is flying from a flagpole on the nose of the aircraft. While one side of the flag may look as though it is the wrong way round, in reality, it is how the flag would look if it was flying.

Sign up for our daily news round-up!

Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights.

More Relevant

Iraq to enhance air fleet with $140m US aircraft support deal

Uk ministry of defence issues dasa loans for pilot vr technology, how would uk defence spending change under starmer’s labour, uk dio completes falklands airfield resurfacing project, sign up to the newsletter: in brief, your corporate email address, i would also like to subscribe to:.

Global Defence Technology : Airforce Technology Focus (monthly)

Thematic Take (monthly)

I consent to Verdict Media Limited collecting my details provided via this form in accordance with Privacy Policy

Thank you for subscribing

View all newsletters from across the GlobalData Media network.

Cookies on GOV.UK

We use some essential cookies to make this website work.

We’d like to set additional cookies to understand how you use GOV.UK, remember your settings and improve government services.

We also use cookies set by other sites to help us deliver content from their services.

You have accepted additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

You have rejected additional cookies. You can change your cookie settings at any time.

• Environment
• Climate change and energy
• Climate change adaptation

RAF Voyager refuels mid-air with Sustainable Aviation Fuel

The Royal Air Force has successfully completed a Voyager air-to-air refuelling flight, powered by an approximately 43% blend of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF).

• Voyager aircraft powered by 43% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) flies over North Sea.
• The aircraft used a blend of traditional fossil fuels and SAF such as cooking oil.
• Flight marks the launch of a new aviation Net Zero Carbon roadmap for commercial aviation.

Flying from RAF Brize Norton, over the North Sea and via Farnborough on its return home, the Voyager aircraft also undertook air-to-air refuelling with Typhoons, as part of planned training.

Made from waste-based sustainable feedstocks, such as used cooking oil, SAF reduces lifecycle carbon emissions by up to 80% compared to traditional jet fuel and will be key to reducing the RAF’s reliance on global supply chains and fossil fuels, while improving operational resilience.

This significant moment follows a series of recent milestones achieved by the RAF towards a sustainable aviation future, including the world first RAF Voyager flight fuelled by 100% SAF .

Defence Minister, Baroness Goldie said:

Greater use of alternative and sustainable fuel can only lead to positive outcomes for Defence, the United Kingdom, and our collective endeavour against climate change. This is not an easy undertaking by the RAF, but time and again we see that by working collaboratively with our partners across industry we can achieve crucial transformation.

Part of a two-day industry led conference – Sustainable Skies World Summit - the flight marks the UK aviation industry publishing its updated aviation Net Zero Carbon roadmap outlining how commercial aviation will become more sustainable and commercially viable.

The annual event, hosted at Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, brings together various partners from industry to showcase the latest developments in sustainable aviation technology and support efforts moving towards the implementation phase of meeting its net zero commitment.

Supporting the RAF’s ambitions to be Net Zero by 2040, the Voyager flight was part of an existing task from the Chief of the Air Staff to gather the required data to inform the longer-term transition away from fossil fuels.

The RAF has identified that using SAF and alternative aviation fuels will be critical for the future operational capability of the RAF and wider military aviation.

The UK’s SAF programme is already one of the most comprehensive in the world and supports our vision to set the UK up to be a global leader in the development, production, and use of SAF.

Supporting the Prime Minister’s priority to grow the economy, new aviation technologies and fuels provide huge opportunities for economic growth, delivering jobs and prosperity across the country.

Chief of Staff Support and Chief Engineer, Air Vice-Marshal, Paul Lloyd said:

The continued success of sustainable aviation fuel is reassuring to see. If we are to achieve our net zero goal by 2040 then exploiting these technologies is going to be an enormous but worthwhile endeavour. Despite the challenge, the benefits of reducing our reliance on traditional supply chains and fossil fuels outweigh it. The RAF is proud to be leading in this area and I welcome the announcement introduction of commercial uses of SAF.

Providing increased reliability and range, the Voyager aircraft gives the RAF an enhanced capability in support of troop mobility, the movement of military assets, and supports UK air defence.

With a payload of 43 tonnes of freight and 291 seat passenger capacity, plus an aeromedical evacuation capability, Voyager also delivers flexibility in air mobility to the UK Armed forces in support of military and humanitarian operations.

During the two days of the Sustainable Skies World Summit, the Jet Zero Council (JZC) – a partnership between industry and government with the aim of delivering at least 10% SAF in the UK fuel mix by 2030 and zero emission transatlantic flight within a generation - will also meet. The Jet Zero Council is driving the ambitious delivery of new technologies and innovative ways to cut aviation emissions.

The SAF for the flight was sourced by International Airlines Group (IAG), and supplied by bp.

Share this page

The following links open in a new tab

• Share on Facebook (opens in new tab)
• Share on Twitter (opens in new tab)

Related content

Is this page useful.

• Yes this page is useful
• No this page is not useful

Help us improve GOV.UK

Don’t include personal or financial information like your National Insurance number or credit card details.

To help us improve GOV.UK, we’d like to know more about your visit today. We’ll send you a link to a feedback form. It will take only 2 minutes to fill in. Don’t worry we won’t send you spam or share your email address with anyone.

Listen Live

Voyager: All you need to know about the RAF's fuel station in the sky

The Voyager is the RAF's only air-to-air (AAR) tanker and can also be used as strategic air support.

There are two versions currently in service – the Voyager KC.Mk 2, which has two underwing pods for refuelling fast jets, and the Voyager KC.Mk 3, which has an extra centreline hose for bigger aircraft.

The aircraft are based in RAF Brize Norton and is flown by 10 Squadron and 101 Squadron.

• RAF Voyager and A400M Atlas work together on Exercise Mobility Guardian
• How a unique team of reservists operates RAF Voyagers in warzones and civilian environments
• RAF Voyager takes 291 giraffes on flight to raise cash for charity

Fuel offloaded during the AAR is siphoned off from the Voyager’s wing and fuselage tanks and the cabin holds 291 personnel. Amongst its abilities, the Voyager can 'towline', meaning it can circle around a set area awaiting 'receivers'.

It can also fly with several jets, refuelling them during long-distance journeys, while taking control of the formation and navigation.

Its other purpose is to be a passenger aircraft like a civilian airliner. However, it has a defensive aid suite, therefore, it can supply personnel to theatres around the world. The plane can take palletised or bulk freight in its lower fuselage hold.

Beyond personnel and freight, the Voyager is able to fly with a maximum of 40 stretchers and three critical care patients and it can be used by VIPs like the Prime Minister.

Its first voyage with 10 Squadron was in 2012 as a transport sortie leaving Brize Norton to get to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

Following difficulties with some technical issues of the refuelling process, the Voyager started in its role as a fuel tanker in the skies in the summer of 2013. In the same year, 101 Squadron started getting into the air on the Voyage with 10 Squadron and AirTanker’s reservists.

Voyagers are based around the world in places like the Falkland Islands and at RAF Brize Norton.

Notable incidents

In 2021, the Voyager was used by the RAF as part of Operation Pitting  to transport Afghans following the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan. Elsewhere, in the fight against so-called ISIS, Voyager aided Typhoon FGR4s in operations such as Operation Shader. Operation Shader (OP Shader) was the codename for the UK's contribution to the US-led mission against so-called Islamic State (IS).

A Voyager was given a £900,000 makeover during Boris Johnson's time as Prime Minister, with a new paint job changing it from its normal grey colour to red, white, and blue Union Jack styling. 

In addition, the plane has been used to support Typhoons when they intercept Russian jets if they come close to UK airspace in incidents over the years.

RAF Voyager specifications:

• Powerplant: two 71,100lb st (316kN) Rolls-Royce Trent 772B turbofans
• Length: 192ft 11¾in (58.82m)
• Height: 57ft ½in (17.39m)
• Wingspan: 197ft 10in (60.30m)
• Wing area: 3,892.20sqft (361.60m2)
• Maximum speed: around Mach 0.86
• Typical mission range: capable of delivering around 132,000lb (60,000kg) of fuel during five hours on station at 500nm (930km) from base
• Range with maximum payload: 4,500nm (8,334km)
• Maximum range with maximum fuel: 8,000nm (14,816km)
• Maximum altitude: 41,000ft
• Maximum fuel load: 245,000lb (111,000kg)
• Maximum payload: around 99,000lb (45,000kg)
• Maximum passenger load: 291

Related topics

Join our newsletter.

Please select at least one newsletter to subscribe to:

UK Armed Forces Sports Awards 2024 LIVE

Russia test launches latest intercontinental ballistic missile, 70-year-old drives 1,200 miles from uk to donate 4x4s to ukrainian forces, most popular.

Did Allied pilots really drop fake wooden bombs on fake wooden decoy airfields?

Iconic Harriers still proving their worth as they fly from US Navy's USS Wasp

A breath of fresh hair: First beards seen among Welsh Guards after Army lifts 100-year ban

From london to ukraine: donated vehicles make the long journey to the frontline, take a tour of a transformed donated 4x4 ready for the frontlines in ukraine, royal navy women hope to 'close the gap' at this year's inter services, latest stories.

UK forces to support security operation for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games

British Army hasn't the capacity to fend off Russian air attacks, think tank warns

RAF police dogs enjoy classical music after a day of detective work around Typhoons

Editor's picks.

RAF pilots that shot down Iranian drones are the best of the best, Sunak says

Going for gold: Is the braid used on Royal Navy officers' uniforms really made of precious metal?

Browse hundreds of jobs for ex-forces.

• Forces News Catch-up

Prime Minister's newly painted plane unveiled after £900K makeover at Cambridge Airport

The respray was done at Marshall's huge plane respraying hangar at the Airport

• 16:00, 25 JUN 2020
• Updated 16:14, 25 JUN 2020

The new paint job costing more than £900K on the plane used by the Prime Minister has been unveiled at Cambridge Airport today (June 25).

The RAF Voyager - which was previously a military grey colour - has been resprayed in white, with a Union flag on the tailfin and United Kingdom written in gold on the fuselage.

Today it was unveiled at Cambridge Airport, where it was refurbished, before taking off.

The respray was done at Marshall's huge plane respraying hangar at the Airport.

Boris Johnson had previously complained about the military paint scheme used on the jet.

But the cost of the respray was condemned by opposition politicians when it was revealed earlier this month.

Downing Street said the work would cost "around £900,000" and would mean that the plane could better represent the UK around the world with "national branding".

Officials have insisted the plane would still be able to fulfil its military role as an air-to-air refuelling tanker.

At the time the price tag was revealed, the Prime Minister's official spokesman said: "That incorporates the cost of creating a design that will promote the UK around the world without compromising the plane's vital military role.

"At every stage we have worked to ensure value for money for the UK taxpayer and all of the work has been undertaken in the UK, directly benefiting British suppliers."

Mr Johnson has previously questioned why the plane was grey, saying he would like to have a "Brexit plane" to help him travel the world and promote the Government's vision of global Britain.

He also complained in 2018 while foreign secretary that the RAF Voyager jet, which is shared by the Prime Minister, senior Cabinet members and the royal family, "never seems to be available".

Keep scrolling for pictures of the newly refurbished plane.

CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: RAF Voyager, the aircraft used by the Prime Minister and members of the Royal family, takes flight for the first time

It is hoped by Ministers that the new colour scheme will boost "brand Britain" during the trade takes that are set to happen in the future, post-Brexit

The plane takes off for the first time since its pricey makeover

Downing Street said the work would mean that the plane can better represent the UK around the world

The plane was unveiled today in Cambridge

The freshly painted plane taking off from Cambridge Airport

The RAF Voyager aircraft used by the Prime Minister and the royal family partially visible in a hangar at Cambridge

• Boris Johnson
• Most Recent

We’ll be back soon!

Sorry for the inconvenience but we’re performing some maintenance at the moment. If you need to you can always contact us on social , otherwise we’ll be back online shortly!

— The Team

Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

UK Edition Change

• UK Politics
• News Videos
• Paris 2024 Olympics
• Rugby Union
• Sport Videos
• John Rentoul
• Mary Dejevsky
• Andrew Grice
• Sean O’Grady
• Photography
• Theatre & Dance
• Culture Videos
• Food & Drink
• Health & Families
• Royal Family
• Electric Vehicles
• Car Insurance deals
• Lifestyle Videos
• UK Hotel Reviews
• News & Advice
• Simon Calder
• Australia & New Zealand
• South America
• C. America & Caribbean
• Middle East
• Politics Explained
• News Analysis
• Today’s Edition
• Home & Garden
• Broadband deals
• Fashion & Beauty
• Travel & Outdoors
• Sports & Fitness
• Sustainable Living
• Climate Videos
• Solar Panels
• Behind The Headlines
• On The Ground
• Decomplicated
• You Ask The Questions
• Binge Watch
• Travel Smart
• Watch on your TV
• Crosswords & Puzzles
• Most Commented
• Newsletters
• Ask Me Anything
• Virtual Events
• Betting Sites
• Online Casinos
• Wine Offers

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in Please refresh your browser to be logged in

Why RAF jets are flying over the UK today

Flypast marks japan prime minister fumio kishida’s first official visit to uk, article bookmarked.

Find your bookmarks in your Independent Premium section, under my profile

Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world

Sign up to our free morning headlines email, thanks for signing up to the morning headlines email.

People in London were treated to an RAF display earlier as military jets flew over the capital.

A Voyager and two Typhoons zoomed through the skies of London at around 11am to mark the visit of Japan prime minister Fumio Kishida.

It was his first official visit to the UK.

UK prime minister Boris Johnson and Mr Kishida watched the RAF flypast together in Horse Guards Parade before their bilateral discussions in Downing Street.

The two leaders headed then headed to No 10 afterwards to discuss a new defence deal.

No 10 said the "landmark" reciprocal access agreement would allow the two countries' forces to deploy together for training, joint exercises and disaster relief.

Downing Street said the leaders were expected to agree in principle a “landmark” reciprocal access agreement (RAA), which would allow Japanese and British forces to deploy together to carry out training, joint exercises and disaster relief activities.

Mr Johnson said: “As two great island democracies, and the third and fifth largest economies in the world, the UK and Japan are focused on driving growth, creating highly skilled jobs and ensuring we remain technology superpowers.

“The visit of prime minister Kishida will accelerate our close defence relationship and build on our trade partnership to boost major infrastructure projects across the country – supporting our levelling up agenda.”

Downing Street added the agreement would boost the UK’s commitment to the Indo-Pacific and further safeguard global peace and security, and build on the already close collaboration on defence and security technology between both nations.

It follows the government’s defence and foreign policy integrated review, published last year, which announced a “tilt” towards the Indo-Pacific.

In September, Australia, the UK and the US signed up to the Aukus pact to develop nuclear-powered submarines for Canberra in a bid to increase joint naval activity in the region.

The government describes Japan as its closest security partner in Asia.

It says the island nation only has two other bilateral visiting forces agreements, one with the United States and the recently agreed RAA signed with Australia in January.

The two G7 leaders are also expected to discuss Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and how to exert pressure on President Vladimir Putin’s regime.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article

Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.

New to The Independent?

Or if you would prefer:

Want an ad-free experience?

Hi {{indy.fullName}}

• My Independent Premium
• Account details
• Help centre

• North America
• South America
• The OSINT Bunker
• Submission Guidelines
• Correction Policy
• Social Media and Comment Moderation Policy
• Privacy Policy
• Cookie Policy

Prime Minister to get aircraft for official trips

Prime Minister David Cameron and senior ministers are to get their own aircraft for official trips.

An RAF Voyager aircraft will be refitted at a cost of about £10m, the move is expected to save about £775,000 per year as the plane will be cheaper than chartering flights, delivering significant savings for the government.

The Airbus A330 Voyager is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft with transport capabilities and is based on the civilian Airbus A330. The multi-role A330 tanker/transport has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, United Arab Emirates Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Official flights using either Royal Squadron planes or long haul charter, cost on average £6,700 per flying hour while using a Voyager aircraft would cost £2,000. It would be available for refuelling when it wasn’t in use.

A government spokesperson said:

“As part of the government’s defence review, we have been looking at ways to make better use of the RAF fleet to transport senior ministers and consequently deliver savings for taxpayers. We have decided to adapt one of our existing Voyager aircraft so that, in addition to its primary air tanking role, it can transport Ministers and it will also be available for the Royal family to use.”

The Airbus A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport is an aerial refuelling tanker aircraft based on the civilian Airbus A330. The A330 MRTT has been ordered by the Royal Australian Air Force, Royal Air Force, United Arab Emirates Air Force, Royal Saudi Air Force and Republic of Singapore Air Force.

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Eagle warning system for F-15 completes operational testing

Northrop ballistic missile target successfully launched

F-16 jets to be turned into autonomous drones

British aircraft continue to supply weapons to Ukraine

Red Arrows begin ‘Blue’ repaint thanks to funding

Britain trialling Harrier jets on carriers

About damn time.

Bloody embarrassing see our PM turn up at official visits in a BA charter flight.

Of course all the class warfare plebs will object but they’re a waste of space anyway.

Whose budget is the £10m coning from?

Very good news, though fingers crossed they change the grey to white ?

Why don’t they just customise it like Airforce One? The way things are going these days, London will be getting attacked weekly and we need a back up command centre just like the USA.

At £10 million cost don’t know why they don’t convert 2 of them so that there is a backup. Seriously in the defence environment £20 million is a drop in the ocean

Because £10 million buys an awful lot of other stuff that is much more important! £10M most certainly isn’t a drop in the ocean in Defence today.

Our defence budget is £33 billion. You have your opinion, I have mine ?

Smart move.

it,s not really to save money,it is more than likely to make sure no one sneaks a bomb on board as the plane is military so any tom dick or harry can,t go on or get near it…

I hope that the Royal family get to use it for official trips too. 🙂

You serious I understand the PM as he runs the country and has to get places and make decisions, the royal family are just very expensive figure heads

Danny Winson Err No there not, the queen is the head of state, the rest of the family have helped with billions upon billions of overseas business for the UK over the years 🙂

Put the royals on Ryanair! 😉

They have their own aircraft.. its called the “Queens Flight”

AirCam One?

Or Air Con or reverse this to become Con Air.

Quite right. US Pres has AF1 we need an AF1

Why can’t he fly easy jet like we have to !!!

Very sensible move and to the doubters, he is sticking with the budget airline philosophy. One of the air refuelling tankers is already used by Thomas Cook Airlines although that is one of the 5 surge aircraft. I wonder if this is going to be one of the 9 core or 5 surge aircraft.

Details of surge vs core & Thomas Cook involvement here: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Future_Strategic_Tanker_Aircraft

– Julian

Royal Air Force 1!!

Taking the piss!!!

Her Majesty had to give hers up, this is political corruption at its worse. This is an absolute disgrace

money should be spent on buying some aircraft for the royal air force we ain’t got enough

I do wish report were factual. The Airbus MRTT offering from the A300, A310 Variants and now the A330 have not, repeat not, been bought by the RAF. The RAF version is a standard A330 adapted for Air to Air refuelling from it’s existing standard tanks. It does not have the large freight door cut into the upper fuselage and is therefore not able to be configured for large 108 x 88 inch cargo pallets upstairs. It is definitely not the MRTT commentators are reporting.

Further, whilst the VC10 was in service, and because of the adaptable cargo main deck floor and large freight door that allowed fast role changes into or out of VIP fit, an aircraft out of the 13 in 10 Sqn Service was always available for Royal or Government Ministerial use, in addition to 32 The Royal Sqn’s 6 HS 125s and 2 BAe 146-100s. Seems cheap to me to have retired the expensive and out of date VC10 fleet, whilst configuring a single relatively modern wide-bodied jet from the new fleet of quieter more efficient and longer range aircraft for …  Read more »

As for the Queen and the Royals having their own “Queens Flight”, not strictly true. The Prime role for No 32 Sqn is as a communications fleet, meaning the ferrying of Service personnel as part of their Operational duties, ie, moving slip crews and replacement pilots around, as well as allowing senior commanders of all 3 Services to conduct their Military Business without carrying State Military Secrets through international airports or indeed on Ryanair!!! That said, you have to be really senior to get close to using one of these assets as they are very tightly controlled.

STAY CONNECTED

Royal Navy landing ship to support Scottish ferry crisis

The wreck of a torpedoed British ship after a 109-year mystery

Funding ‘ringfenced’ for Britain to operate 74 F-35 jets

MBDA Enforcer missile proposed for European funding

UK looking for electro-magnetic counter-drone tech for troops

UK calls out China state-affiliated cyber targeting

Argentina sign purchase intent for 24 F-16s

British frigate returns home flying battle ensign

• International
• Publications

Further delays to Rwanda plan as peers maintain fight to rewrite Bill

• Thursday 18 April 2024 at 12:01am

Home Secretary James Cleverly accused Labour of a “politically cynical” effort to scupper the Rwanda scheme as peers dealt another blow to the asylum plan.

Labour said the Government should stop wasting time and money on the “hare-brained scheme” which aims to send some asylum seekers on a one-way trip to Rwanda in order to deter people from crossing the English Channel in small boats.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has insisted he wants to get flights to Rwanda off the ground this spring but MPs will not consider the legislation again until Monday.

The House of Lords snubbed ministerial calls to back down and again insisted on revisions to the Safety of Rwanda (Asylum and Immigration) Bill.

Mr Cleverly said: “Terrified that the Rwanda scheme will work, and desperate to delay or disrupt over a hundred votes about stopping the boats, Labour have acted again to block the passage of the Rwanda Bill.

“It’s been another politically cynical effort by them, who have no alternative deterrent and no plan to tackle illegal migration, to frustrate the only solution on offer.

“We want to break the criminal people smuggling gangs and stop the boats. Labour, uncomfortable with tackling immigration, will clearly stop at nothing to stop the planes”

But shadow immigration minister Stephen Kinnock said: “More people arrived on small boats in a single day this weekend than will be sent to Rwanda in a year, and yet they’ve committed half a billion pounds of taxpayers’ money to this hare-brained scheme.

“They can try to blame Labour, the Lords, or even the former military leaders who voted to amend the Government’s Bill this evening to prevent Afghan interpreters who helped our armed forces from being sent to Rwanda.

“But this is their mess, and they have no idea how to solve it. Rather than wasting more time and money on their failed scheme they should back Labour’s plan to properly protect our border security and go after the criminal smuggler gangs.”

The fresh Government defeats mean a continuation of wrangling at Westminster over the proposed law that aims to clear the way to put asylum seekers who cross the Channel in small boats on a flight to Kigali.

The Bill and a treaty with Rwanda are intended to prevent further legal challenges to the stalled asylum scheme after the Supreme Court ruled the plan was unlawful.

As well as compelling judges to regard the east African country as safe, it would give ministers the power to ignore emergency injunctions.

Despite MPs overturning previous changes by the upper chamber, peers renewed their demand that Rwanda cannot be treated as a safe country until an independent monitoring body has verified that protections contained in the treaty are implemented.

The provision would also allow the Secretary of State to effectively pull the plug on the scheme if the promised safeguards were not maintained.

In a further blow to the Government, peers again supported an exemption from removal for those who worked with the UK military or Government overseas, such as Afghan interpreters.

The Lords’ insistence on the amendments ensures a fourth round of “ping-pong” over the Bill, where legislation is batted between the two Houses until agreement is reached.

The draft law will be sent back to the Commons, where MPs are set to consider the latest changes on Monday.

Ministers denied suggestions that the Bill was not being rushed through repeated rounds of ping-pong this week because the Government was not ready to get flights off the ground.

Northern Ireland minister Steve Baker told BBC’s Newsnight: “I don’t accept that. The reality is that legislation usually takes months to put through … I’m well aware that at this stage of legislation, when you are in ping-pong between the two houses, things get tense, difficult and you need to very carefully proceed.

“It’s true ping-pong could have gone on through the night, but really we are going to be proceeding within days to come back to ping-pong, I think that’s perfectly reasonable.”

Labour suggested that one reason the Government was trying to buy time was because it is struggling to find any airline willing to carry the asylum seekers.

Mr Kinnock claimed the Government was trying to “scramble high and low” for an airline to be associated with the “unworkable, unaffordable and unlawful” scheme.

The Times reported the Prime Minister could use RAF Voyager aircraft for Rwanda deportation flights after the Home Office failed to find a charter company.

Watch: RAF shot down ‘a number’ of Iranian attack drones, Sunak confirms

Prime Minister said ‘the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate’ if attack had been successful

Royal Air Force pilots shot down “a number” of Iran’s drones during the overnight attack on Israel , Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has confirmed.

Mr Sunak said that “the fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate” had Iran’s attack on Israel been successful.

The Prime Minister said he had chaired a Cobra meeting with Cabinet ministers on Friday to “agree a plan of action” over Iran’s attack on Israel, and confirmed that additional RAF pilots were sent to the region.

“This is a dangerous and unnecessary escalation which I have condemned in the strongest terms,” he told Sky News on Sunday.

“Thanks to an international coordinated effort, which the UK participated in, almost all of these missiles were intercepted, saving lives not just in Israel but in neighbouring countries like Jordan as well.”

“I can confirm that our plans did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones,” he added.

Iran launched its first ever direct attack on Israel on Saturday evening, in retaliation to a deadly strike on its Damascus consulate on April 1. The Israeli military said “very little damage” was caused by the strikes, and that over 99 per cent of the 300 drones and missiles were shot down by Israel and its allies.

No fatalities have been reported, although a 10-year-old girl was wounded by shrapnel. Injuries were also reported at Nevatim air base in the south of the country, which remained operational after sustaining minor damage.

Yoav Gallant, the Israeli defence minister, said “very little” harm had been caused. An unnamed Israeli official told local media that Tehran’s attack had been a “strategic failure”, adding: “Now they can get ready and not sleep in peace.”

Once the attack had subsided, Joe Biden reportedly signalled to Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, that there were limits to US support and he would not join a retaliatory attack on Iran .

The US President fears being dragged into a wider Middle East conflict, according to NBC News, while officials are nervous that Israel could respond aggressively to the attack without considering the wider consequences.

On Saturday night, British fighter jets took off from Cyprus in order to intercept the drones and missiles launched from Iran towards Israel.

RAF jets helped defend Israel from the barrage and are reported to have shot down drones near the Syria-Iraq border. Most of the bombardment was launched from inside Iran itself, but some came from its proxy groups based in Iraq, Syria and Yemen.

When asked about the missile strikes, the Ministry of Defence did not comment.

Multiple RAF transport aircraft were in the air over the eastern Mediterranean shortly after the attack was first reported.

RAF A400 took off from Brize Norton at 4.53 UK time and headed for Syria before GPS dropped.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak condemned Iran’s “reckless” action in the “strongest terms”. The strikes risked “destabilising” the Middle East and that the UK would work with its allies to “prevent further escalation”, he added.

In a speech on Saturday evening, Mr Biden said the US and Israel had shot down “nearly all” of the Iranian barrage. American forces, including warships stationed in the eastern Mediterranean, intercepted 70 drones and at least three ballistic missiles, according to CNN.

Mr Biden told Mr Netanyahu that Israel “demonstrated a remarkable capacity to defend against and defeat even unprecedented attacks – sending a clear message to its foes that they cannot effectively threaten the security of Israel.”

Mr Netanyahu appeared to nod to Israel’s international support in a brief statement after the barrage, saying: “We intercepted, we stopped. Together we will win.”

Iran’s foreign ministry said it targeted a number of Israeli military bases, having been driven to “forcefully defend its sovereignty” by an air strike on its consulate in Damascus.

“The... resort to defensive measures in exercise of its right of self-defence demonstrates Iran’s responsible approach toward regional and international peace and security,” it added.

According to Israeli officials, Iran launched multiple waves of attacks on Saturday, sending a total of 185 drones, 110 ballistic missiles and 36 cruise missiles in an effort to overwhelm Israel’s air defences.

It sets up a direct military confrontation between the regional foes in a major escalation that raised the risks of a wider war.

The IDF said: “The air defence fighters successfully intercepted using the ‘Arrow’ system and, together with the strategic partner countries, most of the launches before they crossed the territory of the country.

“Individual injuries were detected, among them at a military base in the south of the country with minor damage to the infrastructure.”

Washington feared an attack could be imminent and rushed warships into position on Friday, including moving the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier and three other warships closer to Israel in the northern Red Sea.

In a statement released on Saturday night, Rishi Sunak said: “The UK will continue to stand up for Israel’s security and that of all our regional partners, including Jordan and Iraq.

“Alongside our allies, we are urgently working to stabilise the situation and prevent further escalation. No one wants to see more bloodshed.”

When the UK launched a series of air strikes against the rebel Houthi group earlier this year, Britain used its Akrotiri base in Cyprus to launch four Typhoon combat planes.

Israel shut down its airspace on Saturday night, reopening it seven hours later after the waves of drone and missile attacks had subsided. The decision has left British travellers facing disruption.

Flight times are expected to be longer as airlines avoid Iranian airspace and air fares are also expected to increase.

Israel’s El Al Airlines was reported to have cancelled 15 flights scheduled over Saturday and Sunday, and Austrian Airlines was also reported to have cancelled all its flights to Iran until April 18.

United Airlines said it had cancelled its service to Tel Aviv.

“We have cancelled Saturday’s planned flight from Newark to Tel Aviv and its associated return flight due to restrictions on Israeli airspace,” a spokesman said.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and will make decisions on upcoming flights with a focus on the safety of our customers and crews.”

A Lufthansa spokesman, on behalf of the firm including its subsidiary Austrian Airlines, said: “We have temporarily stopped overflying Iranian airspace until April 18. Security is our number-one priority.”

Qantas had already paused its non-stop flights from Perth to London in a bid to avoid Iranian airspace due to fears of the impending attack on Israel.

The route has now been changed and has a stop in Singapore in place due to the situation.

A Qantas spokesman said: “We’re temporarily adjusting the flight paths for our flights between Perth and London due to the situation in parts of the Middle East. We’ll reach out to customers directly if there’s any change to their booking.”

The UK along with the US were among the countries issuing a travel warning to those looking to travel to the region, along with France, Canada and Australia. Dutch airline KLM also said it would no longer fly over Iran or Israel, according to Dutch press agency ANP on Saturday.

KLM, the Dutch arm of Air France-KLM, said the move was a precaution, but it indicated it would continue flying to Tel Aviv.

• Israel-Hamas War,
• Royal Air Force,
• Rishi Sunak
• Facebook Icon
• WhatsApp Icon

RAF shot down 'a number of drones' in Iran's attack on Israel

Rishi Sunak has confirmed that the RAF shot down Iran attack drones headed towards Israel - as he condemned Tehran's "dangerous and unnecessary" escalation.

Political reporter @fayebrownSky

Sunday 14 April 2024 17:18, UK

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

UK jets shot down "a number of drones" launched by Iran in its unprecedented attack on Israel last night, Rishi Sunak has said.

The prime minister called the assault by Tehran a "dangerous and unnecessary escalation", warning the "fallout for regional stability would be hard to overstate" had it been successful.

Israel said Iran launched 170 drones, more than 30 cruise missiles and at least 120 ballistic missiles on Saturday in an attack that set off air raid sirens across the country.

Follow live updates of Iran's attack on Israel

Mr Sunak said: "Thanks to an international co-ordinated effort, which the UK participated in, almost all of these missiles were intercepted, saving lives not just in Israel but in neighbouring countries like Jordan as well."

He added that the UK sent "additional planes" to the region as part of operations already under way in Iraq and Syria.

"I can confirm that our planes did shoot down a number of Iranian attack drones," he said.

More on Israel-hamas War

Lebanon at a crossroads as it awaits Israel's response to Iran - with fears growing revenge will trigger 'bigger war'

Middle East: Is it safe to travel to holiday destinations as tension escalates?

Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel 'will make own decisions' amid threat of 'fierce and painful response' from Iran

Related Topics:

• Israel-Hamas war

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) had earlier confirmed that several RAF jets and air refuelling tankers had been sent to the region to "bolster Operation Shader" - the UK's existing counter-Islamic State operation in Iraq and Syria.

However, it was not clear if any drones were shot down, with government minister Victoria Atkins saying on this morning's media rounds that she is "not in a position to confirm or deny" it.

Analysis: Will Israel let an attack by Iran go unpunished? Probably not All-out war, or not, in the Middle East?

Mr Sunak is expected to join US President Joe Biden on a call with G7 leaders on Sunday amid fears of further escalation in the event of a possible Israeli counter-strike.

Labour has said the government should bring forward "further sanctions" on drones and made clear it would support such a move.

Shadow foreign secretary David Lammy told journalists in north London: "I hope as a result of the G7 call today, that the government come forward with further sanctions, and certainly Labour will support them if they choose to do that.

"I'm very concerned that the Shahed 136 drone has been used overnight. It's a drone that has also been sold by Iran to Russia."

He added: "It's time that we stepped up sanctions on those drones, and I hope the government will be coming forward with more plans for that tomorrow."

The assault was launched in response to a strike widely blamed on Israel on an Iranian consular building in Syria earlier this month which killed two Iranian generals.

It marks the first time a direct military assault has been launched by Tehran on Israel despite decades of enmity dating back to the country's 1979 Islamic Revolution.

The development threatens to become a major regional escalation after years of shadow wars fought between the two foes as the conflict in Gaza inflames decades-old tensions in the Middle East.

Britain and the US have offered staunch support for Israel, although Tehran has threatened a "heavier" response if Washington cooperates in any further military action.

Israeli military spokesman rear admiral Daniel Hagari said 99% of more than 300 drones, cruise missiles and ballistic missiles had been shot down outside the country's borders, with aircraft intercepting more than 10 cruise missiles.

He said a seven-year-old "was severely injured from shrapnel" and there has not been any other known casualties.

Be the first to get Breaking News

Install the Sky News app for free

Related Topics

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Rishi Sunak urges Israel to show restraint after Iranian attack

Prime minister echoes calls by Joe Biden and Emmanuel Macron and tells MPs he is ‘urgently’ working to prevent escalation

Rishi Sunak has echoed calls by fellow world leaders for Israel to show restraint in its response to the weekend’s attack by Iran , as the international community seeks to prevent a full-scale regional conflict.

Updating the House of Commons for the first time since the weekend’s largely unsuccessful attack involving more than 300 drones and missiles, the prime minister told MPs he was urgently working with allies to try to prevent any escalation.

His statement followed similar calls by the US president, Joe Biden, and the French president, Emmanuel Macron, and came as Israeli ministers concluded a cabinet meeting to discuss retaliatory options, reportedly without agreement.

Sunak said he would plead directly for calm in a call with Benjamin Netanyahu, although sources said such a call was unlikely to happen on Monday.

The prime minister told MPs: “I will shortly be speaking to Prime Minister Netanyahu to express our solidarity with Israel in the face of this attack, and to discuss how we can prevent further escalation. All sides must show restraint. We will continue together with our allies to urge calm heads to prevail and de-escalation.”

Iran’s bombardment came a little under a fortnight after Israel attacked the Iranian diplomatic mission in Damascus. Sunak refused to criticise the Israelis for that original action, laying the blame solely at the door of Tehran instead.

“On Saturday evening, Iran sought to plunge the Middle East into a new crisis,” he said. “The scale of the attack and the fact that it was targeted directly at Israel are all without precedent.”

British jets took part in the Israeli defence on Saturday night, with RAF jets shooting down an unspecified number of Iranian drones. Sunak would not give full details of the British military engagement but said the planes had provided “important intelligence surveillance and reconnaissance support for our partners”.

Sunak said he was working with G7 partners on further sanctions against Tehran, as he came under pressure to proscribe the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and to reimpose previous sanctions that were suspended under the Iran nuclear deal.

“Yesterday at the G7 we agreed to work together on further measures to counter the Iranian regime and its properties,” he said. “It was agreed that we should coordinate those actions and that work is now under way.”

Keir Starmer backed Sunak’s calls for restraint, although he was more critical of the original Israeli attack on the Iranian consulate. “Diplomatic premises should not be targeted and attacked,” the Labour leader said. “That is a point of principle.”

Sunak’s call for calm echoed one made hours earlier by David Cameron. The foreign secretary told the BBC on Monday morning: “We are saying Israel has a right to respond but we do not support a retaliatory strike. There are times where we have to be smart as well as tough, where we have to use head as well as heart.”

Pressed on LBC on the wisdom of the Israeli embassy attack, Lord Cameron said: “It is a matter for Israel. We have not made a comment on it. Can I understand Israel’s frustration with Iran? Yes. Absolutely I can. I am not getting into what Israel has or has not done.”

He said: “Iran is responsible for Hamas in Gaza, they are responsible for what is happening in Yemen, they are responsible for Hezbollah in Lebanon.”

• Foreign policy
• Rishi Sunak

More on this story

Britain has no business intervening in the war in Gaza. So why did it defend Israel against Iran?

Sunak faces new calls to proscribe Iran’s Revolutionary Guards after Israel attack

RAF shot down Iranian drones heading for Israel, Sunak confirms

UK will not suspend arms exports to Israel, David Cameron says

There are Tory splits over Gaza, but the party is only really going in one direction – towards Israel

Home Office refusal of Gaza family reunion requests ‘irrational’, judge rules

David Lammy says he has ‘serious concerns’ about Israel’s actions in Gaza

Banning arms sales to Israel would be ‘insane’, says Boris Johnson

Labour’s Anas Sarwar joins calls for ban on UK arms sales to Israel

Most viewed.

• Air Transport
• Defense and Space
• Business Aviation
• Aircraft & Propulsion
• Connected Aerospace
• Emerging Technologies
• Manufacturing & Supply Chain
• Advanced Air Mobility
• Commercial Space
• Sustainability
• Interiors & Connectivity
• Airports & Networks
• Airlines & Lessors
• Safety, Ops & Regulation
• Maintenance & Training
• Supply Chain
• Workforce & Training
• Sensors & Electronic Warfare
• Missile Defense & Weapons
• Budget, Policy & Operations
• Airports, FBOs & Suppliers
• Flight Deck
• Marketplace
• Advertising
• Marketing Services
• Fleet, Data & APIs
• Research & Consulting
• Network and Route Planning

Market Sector

• AWIN - Premium
• AWIN - Aerospace and Defense
• AWIN - Business Aviation
• AWIN - Commercial Aviation
• Advanced Air Mobility Report - NEW!
• Aerospace Daily & Defense Report
• Aviation Daily
• The Weekly of Business Aviation
• Air Charter Guide
• Aviation Week Marketplace
• Route Exchange
• The Engine Yearbook
• Aircraft Bluebook
• Airportdata.com
• Airport Strategy and Marketing (ASM)
• CAPA – Centre for Aviation
• Fleet Discovery Civil
• Fleet Discovery Military
• Fleet & MRO Forecast
• MRO Prospector
• Air Transport World
• Aviation Week & Space Technology
• Aviation Week & Space Technology - Inside MRO
• Business & Commercial Aviation
• CAPA - Airline Leader
• Routes magazine
• Downloadable Reports
• Recent webinars
• MRO Americas
• MRO Australasia
• MRO Baltics & Eastern Europe Region
• MRO Latin America
• MRO Middle East
• Military Aviation Logistics and Maintenance Symposium (MALMS)
• Asia Aerospace Leadership Forum & MRO Asia-Pacific Awards
• A&D Mergers and Acquisitions
• A&D Programs
• A&D Manufacturing
• A&D Raw Materials
• A&D SupplyChain
• A&D SupplyChain Europe
• Aero-Engines Americas
• Aero-Engines Europe
• Aero-Engines Asia-Pacific
• Digital Transformation Summit
• Engine Leasing Trading & Finance Europe
• Engine Leasing, Trading & Finance Americas
• Routes Americas
• Routes Europe
• Routes World
• CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Airlines in Transition
• CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Americas
• CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Latin America & Caribbean
• CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Australia Pacific
• CAPA Airline Leader Summit - Asia & Sustainability Awards
• CAPA Airline Leader Summit - World & Awards for Excellence
• GAD Americas
• A&D Mergers and Acquisitions Conference (ADMA)
• A&D Manufacturing Conference
• Aerospace Raw Materials & Manufacturers Supply Chain Conference (RMC)
• Aviation Week 20 Twenties
• Aviation Week Laureate Awards
• ATW Airline Awards
• Program Excellence Awards and Banquet
• CAPA Asia Aviation Summit & Awards for Excellence
• Content and Data Team
• Aviation Week & Space Technology 100-Year
• Subscriber Services
• Advertising, Marketing Services & List Rentals
• Content Sales
• PR & Communications
• Content Licensing and Reprints
• AWIN Access

RAF Eurofighters Shot Down Iranian Drones, UK Prime Minister Says

Subscription Required

RAF Eurofighters Shot Down Iranian Drones, UK Prime Minister Says is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report , an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) Market Briefing and is included with your AWIN membership.

Already a member of AWIN or subscribe to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report through your company? Login  with your existing email and password.

Not a member?  Learn how you can access the market intelligence and data you need to stay abreast of what's happening in the aerospace and defense community.

Related Content

Stay Connected. Stay Informed Grow Your Business.