10 Hours in the Air: UK’s Protector RG1 Drone Tracks Russian Warships in English Channel for First Time

The UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) has deployed its Protector RG1 reconnaissance and strike drone for the first time to conduct operational surveillance of Russian warships in British airspace.

The Telegraph reported this, citing the UK Ministry of Defence.

The drone spent more than 10 hours monitoring Russian warships in the English Channel. The missions took place between late September and mid-October 2026.

The Protector RG1 was unarmed and used to gather intelligence and support Royal Navy ships and helicopters monitoring the movements of Russian naval vessels near the British coast.

In particular, from October 1 to 14, the Type 45 destroyer HMS Dauntless and the patrol vessel HMS Tyne monitored the Russian frigate Neustrashimy and merchant ships transiting the English Channel.

RAF 13 Squadron Commander Sam Hailey said the Protector’s first operational flights in British airspace had demonstrated its ability to conduct extended aerial surveillance in support of maritime security.

According to him, the aircraft can operate alongside military and civilian aviation, providing persistent intelligence collection to support naval operations and meet NATO commitments.

In July, the Russian frigate Neustrashimy conducted artillery firing exercises in international waters in the English Channel, approximately 74 km off the British coast. At the time, the patrol vessel HMS Tyne also monitored its movements, continuing to track the Russian ship during the live-fire exercises.

According to the UK Ministry of Defence, the number of Royal Navy operations monitoring Russian activity increased by 25% in the first seven months of 2026 compared with the same period a year earlier.

Militarnyi previously reported that vessels belonging to Russia’s shadow fleet had entered British waters more than 200 times after the UK announced the possibility of detaining them.

Protector RG1 Drone

The Protector RG1 is a British variant of the American MQ-9B SkyGuardian reconnaissance and strike drone, manufactured by General Atomics. It is designed for extended surveillance, reconnaissance and precision strikes.

According to the Royal Air Force, the drone can remain airborne for more than 30 hours and operate at altitudes of up to 12.2 km.

The Protector RG1’s main advantage over its predecessor, the MQ-9A Reaper, is its ability to operate in civilian airspace without special geographical restrictions.

In February 2025, the Protector RG1 underwent flight tests, marking one of the key stages in preparing the aircraft for service. In June of that year, the drone was officially commissioned into the Royal Air Force.