CAMPAGINERS urged the government today to focus on diplomacy and stop squandering money on war technology after it emerged that the army is to get fresh powers to shoot down suspicious drones.

The new authorisation will be included in the Armed Forces Bill, following sightings of unidentified drones in the vicinity of military bases.

Three air bases used by US military — RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall, and RAF Feltwell — all reported drone incursions last year.

There has been no confirmation of who is behind the activity, but, making the announcement in London, Defence Secretary John Healy pledged to “do what’s needed to keep the British people safe.”

He warned of growing threats from Russia, with 19 drones crossing the Polish border last month, although Moscow has denied involvement in that incident.

Drone Wars UK director Chris Cole said: “While ordinary people living under drones around the world constantly feel threatened and suffer real physical and psychological harm from military drones flying overhead, British politicians have regularly dismissed such fears, arguing that the drones are there in fact to create peace for the people on the ground. 

“It is ironic then, not to say hypocritical, that fear and apprehension about possible drone incursions within the UK is met with strong government response, including ordering the military to shoot such drones down.”

The government will release its Defence Investment Plan, which will set out its spending priorities, this autumn. 

Mr Cole added: “Rather than squandering billions developing drones and then have to spend more on counterdrone technology, we should be investing much more in diplomacy and conflict-prevention structures.

“We should be investing in our health and social care, investing in greening the economy and focusing our extremely talented engineers and scientists on helping us [with] tackling climate changes, rather than war technology.”