Amid ongoing protests in support of the Palestinian cause in the United Kingdom, it was reported that a group of activists successfully infiltrated Royal Air Force bases and vandalized A330 Voyager refueling aircraft stationed there—representing a serious security breach for the institution. Specifically, the activists are said to be part of the group Palestine Action, who allegedly poured paint into the engines of the aforementioned aircraft with the intent of sabotaging them.
According to reports, the base affected was RAF Brize Norton, located in Oxfordshire, about 190 kilometers northeast of London. These facilities are considered critical, as they host 24-hour emergency airlift operations, as well as the units responsible for Tanker Sortie (TANSOR) missions that support other elements of the force. In the most recent Strategic Defence Review, the concentration of all such aircraft at a single base was highlighted as a potential vulnerability.
Commenting on the incident, Palestine Action stated that their criminal actions stem from the fact that “flights depart daily from the base to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. From Cyprus, British aircraft gather intelligence, refuel combat jets, and transport weapons to commit genocide in Gaza.” Ironically, the activists overlook the fact that the aircraft deployed by the institution over the region are mostly of the Shadow R1 type, which are used for intelligence missions—in this case, focused on locating remaining hostages held by the terrorist group Hamas.
The vandalized A330 Voyager refueling aircraft, even if the RAF intended to use them in such a manner, are not equipped to support Israeli aircraft operating over Gaza. In particular, Israeli aircraft use the boom refueling system, whereas their British counterparts employ hose-and-drogue pods, rendering any notion of using Voyagers for support missions incompatible. The confusion behind the activists’ claims may stem from the deployment of these platforms from Cyprus to support Eurofighter jets engaged in combat and reconnaissance missions over Syria and Iraq.
The British government was swift to respond, with Defense Secretary John Healey stating on social media: “The vandalism of RAF aircraft is utterly unacceptable. I am deeply dismayed by this incident and have ordered an investigation and a full review of base security. These aircraft are used by our military personnel to support global security and peace. This action does nothing to help Gaza or our efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East.”
For now, the investigation has been placed under the jurisdiction of Thames Valley Police, who reported that they are working to identify and locate those responsible. Local sources indicate that once arrested, the individuals involved are expected to face prison sentences made particularly severe due to the vandalism of military property, which under the 2023 National Security Act could result in up to fourteen years of imprisonment. Additionally, the British government has confirmed through Home Secretary Yvette Cooper that it will seek to proscribe Palestine Action under the country’s anti-terrorism laws, citing the group’s long-standing criminal record. The proposal is expected to be presented to Parliament next week.
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