British F-35B warplanes have shot down a number of drones over Jordan amid increasing escalation in the Middle East. This marks the first time the Royal Air Force’s £88 million fifth-generation stealth fighter jets have destroyed a target on operations.

The aircraft used Advanced Short Range Air-to-Air Missiles, known as ASRAAM, to down the Iranian-designed Shahed kamikaze drones overnight, the Express understands. It is not clear how many drones were destroyed. The jets were operating over Jordanian airspace in defence of the country as the RAF continues to fly defensive missions in the region.

It comes as the Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed multiple drones have been shot down by the UK Armed Forces in the Middle East the past 24 hours, with plans to bolster Britain’s military presence in the Mediterranean.

A British counter-drone unit destroyed drones in Iraqi airspace heading towards coalition forces, while an RAF Typhoon operating as part of a joint UK-Qatar squadron shot down an Iranian one-way attack drone directed at Qatar on Monday.

Iran has fired retiliatory drone and missile attacks across the Gulf after US-Israeli strikes on Saturday which killed Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

UK F-35Bs have been stationed at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus since early February amid the rising tensions in the Middle East.

The base was hit by a drone on Sunday, sparking concerns over how well protected it is from threats.

Sir Keir Starmer has now confirmed additonal assets are being sent to the area to protect Britsih military personnel in Cyprus.

HMS Dragon, one of the Royal Navy’s six Type 45 destroyers, will be joined by Wildcat helicopters equipped with Martlet missiles which can wipe out drones.

The ship is designed for air defence and is equipped with the Sea Viper anti-air missile system.

Defence Secretary John Healey said: “We are moving quickly to further reinforce our defensive presence in the Eastern Mediterranean.

“HMS Dragon brings world-class air defence capability, and our Wildcat helicopters are armed with Martlet missiles to counter the growing drone threat.

“I am deeply proud of the professionalism and bravery of our Armed Forces personnel who have in recent days, successfully taken action across the region to protect our allies and defend British interests.”

The families of service personnel have been moved away from RAF Akrotiri as a precaution following the drone incident.

There were no casualties and damage to the base was described as “minimal”.

Sir Keir said Akrotiri was struck before he announced he had given the US permission to use British bases for “defensive” strikes on Iranian missile sites.

US bombers are not using British bases in Cyprus to launch attacks on Iran, he also said.

On Monday, a spokesperson for the Cypriot government said two further unmanned drones heading towards RAF Akrotiri had been intercepted.

France is also reportedly planning to move air defence systems to Cyprus.

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