British troops to be given powers to shoot down drones on sight, Telegraph reports

John Healey, the British defense secretary, tours a new military drone production facility in Swindon, U.K., on Sept. 15. Healey is reportedly set to authorize new powers to shoot down drones amid a rise in incursions. British troops will be given new powers to shoot down drones threatening U.K. military bases, the Telegraph reported on Sunday, citing an upcoming announcement on Monday from John Healey, the British defense secretary. Healey is expected to unveil his vision on how to protect Britain's most critical military bases in response to a growing threat posed by Russia, the newspaper said. Although the new powers will initially apply only for military sites, the British government was not ruling out working to extend those powers to other important sites like airports, the Telegraph said, citing a source.