Inside the cockpit of RAF tanker during defensive mission against Iranian drones

The night sky above RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus echoes with the sharp, piercing screech of a Typhoon and F-35 jet. This is followed by the deep, resonant rumble of a larger refueling aircraft joining the operation—targeting Iranian drones. The RAF Voyager, a massive aerial fuel depot, supports these fighter jets as they patrol the skies over Cyprus and Jordan for the past month.

As the Voyager cruises toward the Israeli and Lebanese coasts, its crew observes a fleeting burst of orange light. One of them remarks, “Often, you can spot either incoming Iranian missiles or an Israeli countermeasure.” A pilot quickly adds, “It might be the Iron Dome from Israel,” before noting, “We don’t know for sure, but there’s plenty of activity in that region right now.”

Refueling and Mission Challenges

During the nine-hour flight, the fighter jets refuel seven times, absorbing 30 tonnes of fuel. They streak from the darkness to connect with the tanker’s trailing hose, a task deemed routine by the pilots. However, the actual pursuit of Iranian drones proves far more complex. Squadron Leader “Bally,” an RAF F-35 pilot, highlights the risks: “Flying on a fast jet is inherently perilous. Targeting something near the ground adds another layer of difficulty.”

He explains that drones operating at low altitudes and slow speeds make them hard to track, increasing the chance of collision with terrain. The mission, dubbed “Operation Luminous,” has been underway since the conflict began, with British jets based in Cyprus and Qatar engaging multiple targets. While they won’t specify the exact number of drones downed, it’s in the single digits, reflecting the high cost of each successful interception.

Base Security and Aftermath

On the second night of the war, a drone struck the base, hitting a hangar used by the US Air Force. The BBC learned the two-metre wingspan drone had been detected by radar before the attack, allowing time to trigger air raid alarms and evacuate personnel. Maj Gen Tom Bewick, Commander British Forces Cyprus, says the damage was limited, suggesting the strike was intentional: “They didn’t get much bang for their buck, but I suspect they hit what they aimed for.”

Since then, the base has bolstered its defenses. Now, eight Typhoon jets and eight F-35 jets operate on-site, alongside Wildcat helicopters armed with short-range missiles and Merlin helicopters equipped with early warning radar. The Royal Navy destroyer HMS Dragon provides additional protection off Cyprus’s coast. Bewick expresses satisfaction with the added firepower, yet acknowledges the threat remains: “If Iran says RAF Akrotiri is a target, I’d be a fool not to take them at their word. The base is as well-protected as it can be.”

There are signs of ongoing efforts to strengthen defenses, even as the mission continues under the watchful eyes of both Allied forces and the ever-present danger of Iranian activity.