Royal Air Force Typhoon FGR4s deployed to the Middle East have begun carrying APKWS guided rockets just weeks after completing a rapid testing and certification process.
In early March 2026, we reported on the sighting of a Royal Air Force Typhoon outfitted with two rocket pods at BAE Systems’ Warton airfield. Though unconfirmed at the time, these were widely expected to be intended to deploy Hydra 70 rockets fitted with the BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) guidance kit.
Initially developed for surface targets, APKWS has taken on a critical new role with its ability to shoot down small unmanned aerial systems (UAS) at a fraction of the cost of traditional air to air munitions – and, with up to seven munitions per rocket pod, it vastly expands a fighter aircraft’s ammunition load, ideal for swarms of drones.
The expectation that the testing involved APKWS was confirmed with an official announcement in April, when BAE Systems said the Typhoon had successfully employed the weapon against ground targets. Counter-UAS (C-UAS) was specifically mentioned as a primary capability of the system, and air to air trials were due to commence in the next stage of testing.
First MoD (Crown Copyright) images and video of the @Eurofighter Typhoon and #APKWS combo now in operational counter-#drone use with the @RoyalAirForce‘s 9 Squadron at RAF #Akrotiri in Cyprus, and across the wider the Middle East… pic.twitter.com/TcyshWplQm
— Gareth Jennings (@GarethJennings3) May 16, 2026
These air to air trials have now been completed and, at a pace rarely seen for weapon integration onto modern combat aircraft, the weapon has been put into operational service with 9 Squadron, RAF. 9 Squadron – sometimes written in Roman numerals as IX (Bomber) Squadron – is currently deployed to RAF Akrotiri, the UK’s forward sovereign base on the island of Cyprus, and has been actively engaged in defensive counter-air missions to defend the base, Cyprus, and the UK’s interests in the region.
RAF Typhoon and F-35B aircraft have conducted long-range Defensive Counter Air patrols in support of HMS Dragon in the Red Sea.
These missions were enabled by Voyager air-to-air refuelling aircraft operating from RAF Akrotiri.#DefendAndDeter #Typhoon #F35 pic.twitter.com/DPSEKRiHcc
— Royal Air Force (@RoyalAirForce) May 15, 2026
Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry Luke Pollard MP said: “This has been a superb effort working with industry to test and deploy this system in a matter of months, which will help the RAF shoot down many more drones at a much lower cost.”
“Our Typhoon fleet is the backbone of UK and NATO air defence, with the RAF protecting European’s Eastern flank from Russian drone incursions and defending our partners across the Middle East,” he added.
As well as boosting the Typhoon’s C-UAS capabilities, APKWS will bring a welcome option for precision strike against small, soft targets like many of those encountered in Iraq and Syria during Operation Shader. While the small warhead of the Hydra 70 rocket platform will not always be enough to destroy a target, their availability to use on targets that it is suitable for allows for stocks of the more expensive Brimstone or the far larger and more destructive Paveway IV.
🇮🇶🇬🇧 | #Iraq: British Ministry of Defence released footage of recent airstrikes carried out by RAF Eurofighter Typhoon fighter jets with Paveway IV guided bombs on a rocket launcher somewhere in Iraq.
The rocket launcher, most likely operated by Iran-backed militias, was used to… pic.twitter.com/hJ7zMMXHhi
— Status-6 (War & Military News) (@Archer83Able) April 26, 2024
“We welcome the speed of development and meticulous testing behind the deployment of these missile systems for use on our Typhoons. They are a valuable addition to the air defence package we are already employing with agility across the Middle East,” noted Air Commodore Donal McGurk, Air 11 Group Deputy Director Operations.
Alongside BAE Systems, the test and evaluation stage was supported by Qinetiq. “From engineering expertise to live trials, our teams are providing the fundamental support needed by our armed forces, to deliver the urgent capabilities that ensure the UK and its allies remain safe and warfighting ready,” said Qinetiq Group Chief Executive Officer Steve Wadey. The firm operates the MOD Aberporth range off the west coast of Wales, where the weapon was tested, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence.
Additional imagery of recent Martlet test-firings at Aberporth Range.
Martlet missile proven against stationary or fast-moving floating targets and now in air-air role, destroying Banshee target drone pic.twitter.com/52R8fky9TP
— Navy Lookout (@NavyLookout) July 28, 2023
Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director BAE Systems Air sector, said: “Our priority is to ensure the Royal Air Force and its allies have the advanced technologies they need today and into the future, to keep them ahead of evolving threats. This capability demonstrates Typhoon’s exceptional versatility and underlines its continued role as the backbone of combat air across Europe and the Middle East.”
