British troops given powers to down drones near bases

British troops will be given new powers to bring down drones threatening military bases, the defence secretary has said, also signalling plans to strengthen the Nato alliance in a major defence speech in London.

- MILLIE COOKE RISHABH JAISWAL DAVID MADDOX

Addressing the lord mayor’s annual defence and security lecture at Mansion House, John Healey warned that “not since the end of the Second World War has Europe’s security been at such risk of state-on-state conflict”, arguing that Britain’s role is to be “democracy’s most reliable ally”.

Reaffirming the UK’s commitment to Nato, the defence secretary said the government has been left with a responsibility to “strengthen it still further”, promising to “develop a greater readiness to fight together”.

Speaking just days after the US president signalled he would meet with Russian president Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine war in Budapest in the coming weeks, Mr Healey said: “As President Trump leads the push for peace ... Here in Europe, we are ready to lead the work to secure it in the long term”.

Although the new powers to shoot down drones will initially apply only to military sites, sources told The Telegraph the government was “not ruling out working to extend those powers” to other important sites like airports.