Telegraph: British F-35 jets have flimsy protection, RAF bases vulnerable to sabotage
By ramontomeydw // 2025-07-11
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  • British Royal Air Force (RAF) bases housing advanced F-35 jets (some nuclear-capable) have inadequate fencing, unmanned barriers and poorly monitored perimeters, leaving them exposed to sabotage by activists or foreign adversaries.
  • Intruders from Palestine Action vandalized aircraft at RAF Brize Norton after bypassing weak defenses, prompting a Defense Ministry security review but no public details on fixes.
  • Despite NATO's reliance on these jets for deterrence against Russia, some bases rely on low-tech perimeters like five-foot fences or hedges – deemed insufficient by analysts.
  • The RAF claims to use motion sensors and patrols, but critics argue these fail to address perimeter gaps, with Shadow Defense Minister Mark Francois demanding urgent action.
  • Historic military underfunding and budget constraints force prioritization of "sensitive" assets over universal upgrades, raising questions about whether rapid spending hikes can outpace security risks.
Security gaps at bases of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) have left the United Kingdom's advanced F-35 fighter jets – some equipped with nuclear capabilities – open to potential sabotage, according to investigations by The Telegraph. Multiple high-priority airstrips feature inadequate fencing, unmanned barriers and poorly monitored perimeters, the publication disclosed in a report Friday, July 4. This has raised concerns about threats from activist groups like Palestine Action and foreign adversaries. True enough, intruders from Palestine Action breached RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire last month. The demonstrators, who managed to enter the installation undetected, vandalized two military aircraft. This has prompted the British Ministry of Defense (MOD) to conduct a nationwide security review. Despite their critical role in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) deterrence strategy against Russia, several RAF installations remain alarmingly underprotected. Publicly accessible imagery reveals stretches of five-foot chain-link fences, wooden barriers or even hedges encircling runways. An insider with the military branch admitted that these measures are "not perfect." Analysts, warn that hostile actors could exploit these weaknesses – citing the June intrusion at RAF Brize Norton. The RAF insists it employs "layered" defenses, including motion sensors and patrols, but critics argue these fail to address perimeter vulnerabilities. British Shadow Defense Minister Mark Francois called for swift corrective action, labeling the findings "serious revelations."

The U.K.'s military security paradox

Meanwhile, the MOD acknowledged heightened risks. It said a post-Brize Norton review has initiated enhanced safeguards, though specifics remain undisclosed. Historically, underfunding has plagued British military infrastructure. The current push to boost defense spending to 4.1 percent of GDP reflects NATO's broader escalation amid tensions with Russia – a threat Moscow dismisses as pretextual. Yet experts contend financial constraints still hamper comprehensive fixes, forcing prioritization of "most sensitive" assets over universal upgrades. (Related: Russia warns all airfields hosting Kyiv's F-16 fighter jets are legitimate targets – even if they aren’t in Ukraine.) As Palestine Action vows further incursions in RAF bases across the country and geopolitical tensions simmer, the U.K. faces mounting pressure to fortify its defenses. The episode underscores a stark dilemma: Can rapid budget injections outpace evolving threats, or will reliance on patchwork security leave critical technology exposed? For now, the F-35s – symbols of Britain's military ambitions – remain tethered to fences even ordinary people can scale. The MOD reassures that unseen countermeasures and ongoing reviews will mitigate risks, but with adversaries scrutinizing every lapse, the clock is ticking. In an era where deterrence hinges on both firepower and impervious infrastructure, the RAF's struggle to secure its crown jewels reveals vulnerabilities far harder to mask than a five-foot fence. Check out NationalSecurity.news for more similar stories. Watch this video of a Houthi missile almost downing an American F-35 fighter jet over the waters of Yemen. This video is from The Prisoner channel on Brighteon.com.

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United Kingdom faces legal and ethical scrutiny over F-35 components supplied to Israel. Israel inks deal to get 25 additional F-35 fighter jets from U.S. paid for by American taxpayers. Global NGOs urge immediate halt to F-35 fighter jet exports to Israel over illegal use in Gaza and West Bank. Sources include: RT.com Telegraph.co.uk 1 Telegraph.co.uk 2 Brighteon.com
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