DragonFire would provide a specific counter-drone capability for the Royal Navy. Cost remains part of the equation. Callen-Lenz CEO Matt Foster says “cost-per-effect on both sides of that coin remains of high importance” as drone and counter-drone technology continue to evolve. The narrative around it often focuses on cost, but beyond cheaper interceptions, it should offer greater certainty than manually aimed machine guns.
The RAF has also gained extensive Photo credit: Rory Arnold/ BAE Systems
altitudes reduced the effectiveness of that approach, but medium-calibre cannons remain useful. The British Army lacks the type of medium-calibre weapon that could be widely used in that role, except for the 40 mm Cased Telescoped Weapon System fitted to Ajax. It should theoretically be capable of bringing down a Shahed-type threat, although the fire-control system would likely need some adjustment.
Rapid Ranger and the Lightweight
Multirole Missile have nevertheless proven able to intercept drones in the Middle East, so the Army and RAF do have capability in this field. The Royal Navy has experience of countering several types of drones in the Red Sea. Responses varied according to the threat. In some cases, where drones were assessed to pose no risk, they were allowed to fly past. In others, machine guns and medium-calibre cannons were used to bring them down. The Defence Investment Plan includes £490 million, absorbing an earlier contract, to accelerate development of the DragonFire laser and deploy it on the Type 45 destroyers.
28 Advance | Autumn 2026
Beyond interception Recent US and Israeli operations against Iran offer some useful indications. According to US Central Command, Iran launched more than 2,000 strike drones and 500 ballistic missiles within the first 100 hours of Operation Epic Fury in 2026. By day six, drone launches had fallen by 83% and ballistic missile launches by 90%. As the strike campaign unfolded, an
extensive air defence effort was taking place throughout the region, involving Gulf States, US bases, ships and aircraft, as well as contributions from the UK and partners. But interception alone did not produce the reduction in launches.
experience in air-to-air intercepts and has added the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System to Typhoon. APKWS is a laser-guidance kit added to a 70 mm rocket, turning an unguided weapon into a precision system. It has been used operationally in the counter-drone role and gives the RAF another option against this type of threat. Again, however, the challenge for
British forces is the scale at which they can counter it. It is unlikely that the UK would ever have to do so alone, outside an alliance or partner framework. Given the number of systems available, it is reasonable to conclude that the UK could adequately defend against a moderate threat. The problem is that Russia is unlikely to present a moderate threat.
DEFENCE
Photo credit: Дмитри Лобакин/
stock.adobe.com
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