RAF deploys high-end surveillance assets for counter-migrant mission in English Channel

A UK Royal Air Force (RAF) P-8 Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft has flown a mission over the English Channel as part of a growing deployment of high-end surveillance assets to monitor migrants attempting to cross from France in inflatable boats.

The view from the cockpit of an RAF P-8 flying a mission over the English Channel to monitor migrants. (Crown copyright)

The aircraft flew its first mission on 12 August from Kinloss Barracks as part of an expanded package of military assistance to the UK Home Office [interior ministry] and Border Force that is also going to include sorties by Shadow R1 surveillance aircraft flying from RAF Waddington in Lincolnshire.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced the expanded commitment of surveillance aircraft on the UK government website on 12 August after it was approved by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace. The ministry said, “Both the P-8 Poseidon and the Shadow R1 will provide further essential support to the UK Border Force over the coming weeks, subject to weather conditions and the Border Force’s requirements”.

The P-8 and Shadow 1 are taking over from an Airbus A400M Atlas transport aircraft, which flew the first counter-migrant mission on 10 August. This aircraft was re-roled after an earlier request from the UK Home Office for military assistance. The MoD announced on its website on 11 August that the aircraft would “provide surveillance and intelligence, feeding information directly to the UK Coastguard and Border Force, which will facilitate the quicker interception of boats. This constitutes the MoD’s initial offer of support to the Home Office, and further work is being carried out to determine who the MOD can further assist in the Channel”.