Unknown Drones Flew Over Australia’s Strategic Air Base — They Were Not Shot Down

Unknown drones entered the airspace of one of Australia’s most important air bases, where the country’s F-35A fighter jets are stationed.

The event was reported by The Daily Telegraph.

The intrusion reportedly occurred at RAAF Base Williamtown between July 11 and 13. The Australian Defence Force does not currently know who operated the unmanned aircraft or why they entered restricted airspace.

The drones were not brought down using counter-drone systems.

Information about the breach was passed to a New South Wales Police unit specializing in countering unmanned aerial vehicles, which is currently investigating the matter.

Base commanders were also ordered to “ensure blinds were drawn” to prevent a possible information leak.

Experts and opposition representatives have questioned the Australian Department of Defence’s ability to respond promptly to similar incidents.

In particular, concerns have been raised over whether the department has sufficient equipment, trained operators, and rapid procedures to enforce the law and deploy countermeasures against drones to protect military facilities across the country.

Dr. John Coyne, Head of the National Security Policy Program at the Australian Strategic Policy Institute, said the Department of Defence and the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) should “conduct a thorough investigation” to determine who operated the drones, where they came from, and what information they may have obtained while flying over the military facility.

RAAF Base Williamtown is one of Australia’s most strategically important defence facilities.

It is home to the country’s most advanced combat aircraft, including F-35A fighter jets, as well as E-7A Wedgetail airborne early warning and control aircraft.

Earlier, in early August, it was reported that six drone flights had been detected over a Bundeswehr facility where Patriot air defense systems undergo maintenance and repairs.