Britain weighs deploying thousands of drones to Middle East to combat ‘axis of aggression’

Production is being ramped up to deliver thousands of units each month.

Ministry of Defence (MoD) officials are now said to be assessing whether the interceptors could also be deployed to strengthen British defences against Iranian Shahed drones in the region, The Telegraph has revealed.

The move may be seen as an attempt by the Prime Minister to push back on claims from President Donald Trump and senior military figures that Britain’s response to the Iran conflict has been "weak".

On Saturday, the US President urged Britain to send ships to the Strait of Hormuz as part of an international naval force aimed at forcing Iran to reopen the key shipping lane.

Ministers are considering deploying a vessel to the Gulf but have yet to make a final decision.

A defence source told The Telegraph that Britain was exploring the deployment of drone interceptors to counter the "axis of aggression" linking Russia and Iran.

The insider said: "The Ukrainians are the best at stopping these drones as they have been doing it for the past four years.

"We are playing a leading role here, working with Ukrainians in a way that no other nation is to develop and manufacture anti-drone systems and drone interceptors, designed to take out Shahed drones."

The source added: "Ukraine is clearly the first priority for this capability.

"But beyond that, the axis of aggression between Russia and Iran is clear. Shahed-style drones are a key part of both their arsenals."

Defence Secretary John Healey announced a partnership in January enabling the Octopus interceptors - which cost around £2,260 each - to be produced in Britain.

Recent strikes on RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus and British special forces stationed in Erbil, Iraq, have raised concerns about the vulnerability of UK military installations to cheap, mass-produced Iranian drones.

Mr Healey blamed Vladimir Putin’s "hidden hand" for the attacks.

At a temporary base in Port Shuaiba, Kuwaiti, six American soldiers were killed after an Iranian drone penetrated air defences at the start of the conflict.

The Prime Minister ordered a warship to Cyprus following the RAF Akrotiri strike, with HMS Dragon expected to reach the eastern Mediterranean as soon as next week.

Mr Trump warned earlier this month that he "will remember" Britain’s limited support during the crisis.

A source close to the President told the newspaper the US could no longer rely on British military backing, claiming the UK "can't be depended upon".

They added there is now "no special relationship", declaring what was once considered the strongest alliance in the world is "over".

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