'Unidentified drones' caught flying over £40m RAF base where US wants to keep nukes

A spokesperson for the United States Air Force said in a statement following the incursions that the drones "fluctuated and they ranged in size [and] configuration"

Clusters of "unidentified drones" have been spotted flying over RAF facilities, including one that has been tipped as a site that could hold US-made nuclear weapons.

The US Air Force (USAF) has confirmed that unmanned devices ranging in "size and configuration" have been tracked over three RAF bases in Suffolk and Norfolk. Several “small unmanned aerial systems” were spotted flying over RAF Lakenheith, RAF Middenhall, and RAF Feltwell between November 20 and 22.

As well as housing British air force units, RAF bases are also among several used by the USAF's Europe command to keep its own jets on standby. In a statement, a spokesperson for the US Air Forces in Europe, said they were unable to determine whether or not they were hostile.

They told The Sun: "We can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems (UASs) were spotted in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell between Nov 20 and 22. The number of UASs fluctuated and they ranged in size [and] configuration.

"The UASs were actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure." Additional reports - which are yet to be verified - claimed that F-15E Strike Eagles, advanced strike fighters manufactured in the US, were scrambled in response to the drones as they impacted local flight operations.

The USAF declined to comment on "the right to protect" installations. The spokesperson added that they would not discuss operational specifics. They said: "To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation."

RAF Lakenheith, which was first used in World War One as a solely British installation, has hosted US units since the Cold War, when the 7504th Base Completion Squadron became the first of its kind on the site. In the 21st century, it is a critical facility that stores the only USAF's only fourth and fifth-generation fighters in Europe.

Among the jets being housed at the installation are F-35A and F-15E tactical jets. While officials are yet to determine the drones' source, the incursions come as geopolitical tensions between Russia and the western world ramp up, with Russian despot Vladimir Putin having recently levelled a severe threat at the UK.

Speaking after Ukraine fired UK-made and supplied Storm Shadow missiles at Russia on November 20, he warned that the country was in possession of hypersonic munitions that could strafe Europe. He said: "Russia considers itself entitled to use weapons against military facilities of countries that permit the use of their weapons against Russia."