UK fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone flying towards Qatar

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UK fighter jet shoots down Iranian drone flying towards Qatar

It is the first drone shot down by a UK fighter jet since conflict erupted on Saturday

Alex Croft Sunday 01 March 2026 19:14 GMT

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Close popoverDefence Secretary says UK forces 'taking down' Iranian drones

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A Royal Air Force Typhoon fighter jet has shot down an Iranian drone heading towards Qatar, the UK’s Defence Ministry has said.

It is believed to be the first drone shot down by a UK fighter jet since the US and Israel launched strikes on Iran on Saturday, prompting Iranian retaliation.

A squadron of Typhoons was deployed to Qatar earlier this year.

“On 1 March 2026, a Royal Air Force Typhoon operating from Qatar as part of the joint UK-Qatar Typhoon Squadron, successfully took out an Iranian drone heading towards Qatari territory,” the Defence Ministry said in a statement on Sunday.

Defence Secretary John Healey previously described the Typhoon as the ‘backbone’ of UK and Nato air defence (Joe Giddens/PA) (PA Archive)

“The Typhoon jet was conducting a defensive air patrol and used an air-to-air missile to shoot down the drone, ensuring the security of Qatar's airspace and British interests in the region.

“Our Armed Forces are playing a vital role to protect our people, our interests and our Allies,” it added.

UK prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said on Saturday that RAF jets were “in the sky today” to help defend allies in the Middle East against Iran’s response.

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Dronefighter jetDefence MinistryQatarUKTyphoonsUSIsrael

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