UK Typhoons carrying APKWS for C-UAS in Middle East

A still from a QinetiQ video showing 2026 live firing trials of the APKWS from a Eurofighter Typhoon off the coast of Wales. The combination is now being used for the C-UAS role in the Middle East. (QinetiQ)

The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has armed Eurofighter Typhoon FGR4 combat aircraft operating in the Middle East with AGR-20A Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) laser-guided rockets for the counter unmanned aircraft system (C-UAS) role.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD), BAE Systems, and QinetiQ announced on 17 May 2026 that integration of the BAE Systems Inc. APKWS aboard the Typhoon had proven successful, and that the system was now being employed operationally in the Middle East.

Following integration of the weapon on to the aircraft led by BAE Systems, the Royal Air Force (RAF) completed an air-to-air firing trial in April using QinetiQ's Banshee Whirlwind target drones at a firing range in Aberporth, Wales. “QinetiQ has supported the RAF and BAE Systems in rapidly integrating and testing laser guided, low-cost missiles to RAF Typhoons, which are now being used in the Middle East to defend against drone attacks,” QinetiQ said. The MoD added that the Typhoon-APKWS combination is now being operated by 9 Squadron at RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.

No further details as to the use of the system were provided, nor was it disclosed if it has yet been fired against hostile unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). Across the Middle East, RAF Typhoons have been operating out of RAF Akrotiri and from Al Udeid Airbase in Qatar since the US and Israel struck Iran in late February 2026, reportedly providing air defence cover for Bahrain, Cyprus, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.