News story

Surveillance missions over Syria confirmed

The Defence Secretary has announced that UK Reaper and Rivet Joint aircraft will fly surveillance missions over Syria.

• From: Ministry of Defence
• Published: 21 October 2014

This was published under the 2010 to 2015 Conservative and Liberal Democrat coalition government

RAF Reaper (library image)

UK Reaper remotely piloted aircraft systems and Rivet Joint aircraft will be authorised to fly surveillance missions over Syria.

The deployment will see the Royal Air Force aircraft gathering intelligence as the UK ramps up efforts to protect our national interests from the terrorist threat emanating the country.

Reapers are not authorised to use weapons in Syria and, alongside Rivet Joint, will provide vital situational awareness making it an invaluable asset to the coalition allies who are combating ISIL.

For more information see ISIL: UK government response page on GOV.UK

Published 21 October 2014