Royal Air Force Typhoon fighters have initiated precision rocket attacks on hostile drones across the Middle East.
The Ministry of Defence announced on May 17, 2026, that AGR-20A APKWS laser-guided rockets are now operational on Typhoon FGR4 aircraft for counter-unmanned aerial system missions. The system allows pilots to engage drones with precision at a fraction of the cost of standard air-to-air missiles.
No. 9 Squadron RAF currently flies the modified aircraft from RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. The entire integration process, from initial development to operational fielding, required only eight weeks through coordinated work by BAE Systems, QinetiQ, and RAF teams.
Ground target trials took place in March 2026. Air-to-air testing followed in April 2026 at Aberporth, Wales, where QinetiQ Banshee targets simulated drone threats during live-fire evaluations.
The rapid timeline delivered a practical solution to the increasing volume of low-cost unmanned aerial systems encountered in the region. Laser guidance on the APKWS provides accurate terminal homing while keeping per-shot expenditure low enough to support sustained patrols.
Janes reporting confirmed that the No. 9 Squadron aircraft at RAF Akrotiri are conducting the C-UAS sorties. The UK Government statement outlined the May 17, 2026, operational declaration and the technical path taken to reach deployment.
AeroTime coverage highlighted the compressed eight-week schedule and the specific test sequence that validated both ground and airborne engagements. Security agencies tracking similar threats can examine the APKWS integration as a model for pairing existing fast-jet fleets with affordable guided rockets.
