The UK Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces Luke Pollard has stated that after five decades of investigations into Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), no reported sighting of UAP has ever posed a military threat to the United Kingdom.
Mr Pollard was responding to a question put to him by Conservative MP Davis Reed who asked what the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) policy is on reporting UAP and whether new material has been classified on the subject since the UK’s declassification programme.
Mr Pollard stated, “Whilst we are aware of the differing approaches currently being undertaken by other countries and allies in the investigation of Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (UAP), the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD) position on UAP remains unchanged, which is, that in over 50 years, no sighting reported to the Department has indicated the existence of any military threat to the United Kingdom.”
“The MOD ceased to investigate reports of UFO or UAP in 2009 and has not classified any new material on the subject since. It has been deemed more valuable to prioritise MOD staff towards other Defence-related activities. For this reason, there are no current plans to create a dedicated team to investigate incidences of alleged sightings. All MOD files relating to UFOs that were created up until 2009 have been released to The National Archives (TNA).”
It comes after drones were reported in the skies over RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall, in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire in recent weeks. In response around 60 British armed forces personnel were deployed to defend the bases against what was described as a “coordinated” operation.
A spokesperson for US Air Force in Europe who operate from the bases said: “We can confirm that small unmanned aerial systems [UASs] were spotted in the vicinity of and over RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall and RAF Feltwell.
“The number of UASs fluctuated and they ranged in size/configuration.”
“The UASs were actively monitored and installation leaders determined that none of the incursions impacted base residents or critical infrastructure.”
“To protect operational security, we do not discuss our specific force protection measures but retain the right to protect the installation.”
“We continue to monitor our airspace and are working with host-nation authorities and mission partners to ensure the safety of base personnel, facilities and assets.”
