RAF tanker aircraft damaged by activists protesting the UK’s Gaza involvement

Two tanker aircraft were damaged in an incident at RAF Brize Norton, the United Kingdom’s largest air force base, during the early hours of June 20, 2025.  

The activist group Palestine Action claimed responsibility, framing the action as a protest against Britain’s military involvement in the Middle East, particularly in relation to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. 

According to footage released by the group, two activists gained unauthorized access to the base using electric scooters. They sprayed red paint into the engines of two Airbus Voyager aircraft using modified fire extinguishers and caused additional physical damage with crowbars. The activists also sprayed red paint on the runway and left a Palestinian flag at the scene, before leaving undetected. No arrests have yet been reported. 

BREAKING: Palestine Action break into RAF Brize Norton and damage two military aircrafts. Flights depart daily from the base to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus. From Cyprus, British planes collect intelligence, refuel fighter jets and transport weapons to commit genocide in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/zzmFqGKW8N— Palestine Action (@Pal_action) June 20, 2025

RAF Brize Norton is a primary logistics hub for the Royal Air Force, supporting regular flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus.  

The Airbus A330 MRTT, referred to locally as the Voyager multi-role tanker, is primarily used by the RAF for air-to-air refueling and strategic transport. The RAF operates a total of 14 Airbus A330 MRTT aircraft leased through AirTanker. 

According to Palestine Action, its intervention aims to disrupt what it alleges is the UK’s complicity in violence and human rights abuses in Gaza. The group specifically cited surveillance flights conducted from RAF Akrotiri, involving Shadow R1 reconnaissance aircraft.  

The UK’s Ministry of Defence maintains these missions are strictly humanitarian or reconnaissance-oriented, primarily related to hostage-search operations. 

“RAF aircraft operated in accordance with the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas when flying in support of hostage recovery,” UK Defence Minister Luke Pollard stated. 

While RAF aircraft, including Voyagers, have supported US-led operations in Yemen through aerial refueling, and Atlas A400M aircraft have been confirmed making logistical flights to Tel Aviv, there is no publicly available evidence to suggest these aircraft transported weapons. 

The UK Ministry of Defence has yet to officially comment on the extent of the damage or operational impacts caused by the protest. 

Security concerns have been raised following this breach, given RAF Brize Norton’s strategic significance. This incident echoes previous security concerns, including drone incursions over USAF-operated bases in England, such as RAF Lakenheath, RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, and RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, between November 20 and 26, 2024.

These earlier incidents raised ongoing questions regarding security and surveillance around strategic military sites in the UK. The post RAF tanker aircraft damaged by activists protesting the UK’s Gaza involvement appeared first on AeroTime.

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