UK's arsenal of nuclear bombers will be protected by garden fence just 5 FEET tall – amid fury over Brize Norton breach

The Sun

2 days ago

THE UK's deadly arsenal of nuclear bomber jets will only be protected by a 5ft garden fence amid fury over the Brize Norton breach.
Britain's state-of-the-art warplanes across the country are being 'guarded' by flimsy wooden fences and even hedgerows in a huge security risk, according to a new investigation by the Telegraph.
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The outlet found that some of the RAF's most critical airbases could be waltzed into by determined activists or enemy agents with barely a barbed wire in sight.
In one shocking case, a 5ft chain-link fence was all that stood between infiltrators and a base tipped to host Britain's new nuclear-ready F-35 fighter jets.
At other bases, entire sections of the perimeter are protected by garden-style wooden fences, patchy CCTV, or even nothing at all – making them sitting ducks for intruders, according to findings.
It comes after huge security concerns were raised in recent weeks following a break in at RAF Brize Norton.
An estimated £7million of damage was inflicted at the Oxfordshire air base including military aircraft sprayed with paint during the raid.
The group Palestine Action have claimed the damage on two Voyager aircraft was carried out by them.
The group has since vowed to strike again, naming two more RAF bases as future targets, including one that trains the UK's top military officers.
The Telegraph, which accessed a secret meeting of the group, reports that one of the bases has a four-mile stretch of perimeter made up of broken fences, drystone walls, or open access points.
Shocking findings also revealed that there were also two gates that are simply left open.
Another site had three unmanned gate barriers with gaping holes in between, giving infiltrators a straight run onto the grounds.
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One of the bases targeted is reportedly linked to Elbit Systems UK, a weapons firm repeatedly targeted by activists.
And while some 10ft black metal fences have recently gone up on site, huge gaps remain.
Even the RAF's main intelligence hub isn't safe, with 700 metres of its perimeter protected by a mix of hedges and low metal fencing.
There is no barbed wire in sight and a handy escape route leads straight onto the A15.
Nearby, another base is protected only by a 6ft-high, garden-style wooden fence for almost 1.5 miles along its north and eastern perimeter.
The major base is home to RAF Typhoon fighter squadrons.
Insiders admitted to the Telegraph that the defences were 'not perfect'.
Security experts have already warned the sites' weaknesses are clearly visible on Google Street View and is highly likely to have already been assessed by activists and foreign agents.
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The Telegraph claims to have handed over its dossier to the Ministry of Defence.
However, it is refusing to name the bases or pinpointing the weak spots, for national security reasons.
Video posted online last month showed yobs from Palestine Action vandalising Voyager aircraft at Brize Norton.
Four people have since appeared in court since the attack and have been remanded into custody to next appear at the Old Bailey on July 18.
It is understood that enhanced measures are in place following the infiltration at Brize Norton and that security at all bases is under review.
Further 'layered' security measures are also in place inside the bases and other non-visible security measures being used include electronic motion sensors.
Sources also said there were air safety limits on the height of fences that can be erected immediately next to runways.
The majority of the five bases' perimeters consist of barbed wire-topped metal fencing and main gates are guarded by uniformed personnel.
Frequent patrols are conducted by the RAF, police and dog units, and signs warn people to keep out.
A MoD spokesperson told the Telegraph: 'We take security extremely seriously and operate a multi-layered approach to protect our sites, including fencing, patrols and CCTV monitoring.
'Following the security incident at RAF Brize Norton, we are urgently reviewing security procedures across the Defence estate and have immediately implemented a series of enhanced security measures at all sites.
'After years of hollowing out and underfunding of the Armed Forces, the Strategic Defence Review concluded that we need to invest more in this area, backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War.'
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