Migrant-spotting drone malfunctions & plunges into the English Channel

UNVEILING his latest get-tough migrant policy, Boris Johnson posed for the cameras in front of a gleaming Tekever AR3 drone.

The photoshoot at Lydd Airport in Kent in April saw the Prime Minister pledge a further £50million to stem the flow of dinghies, with measures including improved aerial surveillance.

Now, The Sun can reveal the same AR3 — or a similar sister drone — “malfunctioned” and plunged into the English Channel.

The £420,000 Home Office drone, which was supposed to be scouring the sea for migrants, was instead discovered floating in the waves by a bemused fisherman

The skipper strapped the high-tech device — which has a 3.5meter (11ft) wingspan — to the back of his boat with ropes and hauled it back to port in Dover.

It is the latest setback in the Government’s attempts to thwart cross-Channel people smugglers, 15,00 of whom have already made the trip this year, with 1,600 in the past ten days alone.

A Dover local told The Sun: “It wasn’t exactly what the skipper expected to catch on a fishing trip in the Channel.

“He found the drone floating in the sea and tied it to the back of his boat with a few ropes and brought it back to harbour. He reported it to the authorities who then arranged for it to be collected.

“It’s an embarrassment for the Government and just adds to the chaos in the Channel right now.”

The fisherman who discovered the drone on July 5 declined to talk about the incident.

Continue reading
Government’s £420k ‘eye in the sky’ drone designed to stop migrants meets embarrassing end chaos in Channel continues

The Sun newspaper brings you the latest breaking news videos and explainers from the UK and around the world

Stay informed on the dynamic world of UK politics with The Sun. We’ll bring you updates on Keir Starmer and the Labour party, major policy decisions, parliamentary debates and electoral developments, including local and general elections. Understand the impact of current events on the UK economy, public services - and how they’ll affect you. Follow updates on the Prime Minister, Cabinet ministers and opposition leaders as they navigate crucial issues such as tax, inflation, public sector strikes and international relations. Subscribe now for all the latest in UK politics.

The Sun brings you breaking news and in-depth analysis on the stories that matter most. From the ongoing war in Ukraine to conflicts in the Middle East and US and UK politics, we post updates as they happen. Expect the latest on major global events, pressing political debates, celebrity updates and exclusive royal family content, along with in-depth investigations and expert commentary. Get comprehensive coverage of Donald Trump's Presidency, Vladimir Putin's actions, and the unfolding drama of the British Royal Family.

Subscribe now for daily updates and exclusive content from The Sun.

[Yoshimitsu]

Are they not safe where they are?? As supposed "refugees" that should be the most important thing and Europe is not a wish concert where you can do whatever you want! Anyone who doesn't want to understand that should be sent back home, because his life can't have been that much in danger if he senselessly risked it a second time just to get to England, where it's not really safer than in France.

[xaiano]

No-one seems to understand that thanks to Brexit, specifically the Dublin accords that was lost, once the migrants get to the UK that's it now, we can't send them anywhere, they are here for good.

The migrants know this, they just need to make it to UK shores and everything will work out for them, that's why hundreds a day take the risk.

Thanks brexiteers! (channel crossings up 1, 300% so far since brexit and forecast to double again by the end of this year)

[rinato]

Don't let them in... They sing freedom but as soon as they get in.. Islam is the freedom they want.

[RICKY-RIKON]

"Come like víctims for turn in villains in the place wich give a place!, the same like they been treatment on their homelands the same they brought with them! "

[DaveCorbey]

We never were able to send them back before Brexit.

[stephenrichards]

Now had it plunged into a migrant dinghy and sunk. That's success

[glennoc]

Wow a thing that spots illegals but does nothing to stop the escalation.

[Laters]

Hold on to see them coming. But binoculars which is better then that crap

[MrAnders]

Good. Hope they equip them with hellfire missles

[richardsanders]

Typical "Gold Standard" Rubbish

[DavidGetling]

No doubt, as usual, the government went for a cheap and nasty product, rather than a more expensive one that would perform well.

[travelledfar]

They do not fear coming to the UK, because they know that the social security system is a mess. The lawyers will stop all Rwanda flights. They will eventually get a comfortable house to live in, when they then can bring in the rest of their family. The people living in the UK will be ok, and compliant, to pay for it all and more. The government (of whatever hue) of the day, are powerless to stop it (in spite of the rhetoric). They are like any neutered creature.

[ZiGGi]

With that amount money they could have got a deal with dji drones and they would have hundreds of drones instead of that

[thomasmorin]

They might be able to spot them but they make no attempt to stop them .

[thedon]

Just pop the dinghy’s before they cross channel. Not our problem then

[jamesc]

So we can see them coming further away and go out and bring them back?

[stamfordmeetup]

put weapons on it as well as sink them.

[eyeofthetiger]

Haven't these guys heard of DJI drones?! They are used to devastating effect against the Russian troops in Ukraine right now by the Ukrainian military.😂

[tulligman]

A reaper drone with an offensive capability would be more effective.
If the UK took this invasion seriously and sunk a few boats it would put a stop to it pretty quickly.