New surveillance drones arrive in Cyprus
The UK’s Royal Air Force (RAF) has deployed its new Protector RG Mk1 drones to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, equipped with the advanced Outdragon electronic intelligence (SIGINT) system, significantly enhancing the UK’s intelligence-gathering capabilities in the region.
Images released by the UK Ministry of Defence show a 54 Squadron Protector drone operating from Akrotiri carrying the Outdragon pod beneath its right wing, confirming that the system has now entered operational service with the RAF.
What is the Outdragon system?
Outdragon is a signals intelligence (SIGINT) system designed to detect, geolocate and monitor targets through their electromagnetic emissions.
According to available information, it can identify signals from mobile phones, Wi-Fi routers and other communications devices, operating across the VHF, UHF and SHF frequency bands commonly used in modern telecommunications.
The system first became public knowledge in 2024 after UK campaign group Drone Wars UK obtained documents through a Freedom of Information request. The documents revealed that the UK Ministry of Defence had purchased the system from General Atomics in 2018 through the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) programme for approximately $5 million, followed by a further $2.2 million contract to integrate it into the RAF’s drone fleet.
Replacing the Reaper fleet
The Protector RG Mk1, based on the General Atomics MQ-9B SkyGuardian, officially entered RAF service in 2025 and is gradually replacing the MQ-9A Reaper drones that had been used for surveillance and strike missions for almost two decades.
Compared with its predecessor, the new aircraft offers greater endurance, more advanced sensors and certification allowing it to operate in non-segregated civilian airspace.
The addition of the Outdragon system further expands its electronic intelligence capabilities, enabling surveillance and intelligence-gathering missions from bases such as RAF Akrotiri.
Strategic role in the Eastern Mediterranean
The deployment of the new RAF Protector drones to Cyprus strengthens the UK’s operational capabilities across the Eastern Mediterranean and the Middle East.
RAF Akrotiri remains a key hub for surveillance, reconnaissance and support missions across the wider region, with the introduction of the Outdragon-equipped aircraft expected to further enhance the base’s intelligence-gathering role.
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