‘Massive security failure’ as activists roam freely across Brize Norton before escaping undetected – sparking fears terrorists could have struck
This is the jaw-dropping moment two pro-Palestine activists broke into Britain’s largest RAF base on electric scooters and vandalised military aircraft worth hundreds of millions of pounds – before escaping without being caught.
Shocking footage shows the brazen vandals riding freely across RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire overnight, spraying red paint deep into the engines of two Airbus Voyager tanker aircraft and attacking them with crowbars.
The extraordinary security breach at what should be one of Britain’s most secure military installations has sparked fury and disbelief, with critics warning the intruders “might even have turned out to be armed terrorists”.
SCOOTERS AND SPRAY PAINT
In footage posted online by Palestine Action, one activist can be seen casually scooting up to a parked Voyager – each worth around £145 million – before producing a repurposed fire extinguisher filled with red paint.
The vandal then systematically sprays paint into the rear of one of the aircraft’s two engines, moving the spout around the rim to ensure maximum damage to the sophisticated turbine.
A loud thumping sound can then be heard – which the group claims was “crowbar” damage to the multi-million pound aircraft – as red paint pools on the tarmac beneath.
The pair of activists are then seen roaming freely across the sprawling airbase on their electric scooters, apparently encountering no security whatsoever during their destructive spree.
‘EVADED SECURITY AND ARREST’
Astonishingly, Palestine Action boasted that both activists “managed to evade security and arrest” after putting the planes “out of service” at Britain’s strategic air transport hub.
The group claimed the attack was targeting flights that depart daily from Brize Norton to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus, alleging the base is used for operations supporting Israel in Gaza.
By decommissioning two military planes, Palestine Action have directly intervened in the genocide and prevented crimes against the Palestinian people,” the group declared.
Red paint – which they said symbolised “Palestinian bloodshed” – was also sprayed across the runway and a Palestinian flag was left at the scene.
DEFENCE SOURCES: ‘UTTERLY POINTLESS’
However, defence sources have slammed the attack as “utterly pointless” and based on a complete misunderstanding of RAF operations.
An RAF source familiar with current deployments told reporters: “This attack was utterly pointless. The aircraft targeted are not used in support of Israeli forces.”
The UK operates independently and Israel has no requirement for British tankers — they operate their own fleet. The claims made by the group show a complete misunderstanding of how RAF operations work.
RAF sources confirmed the Voyagers are primarily used to support Operation Shader – the UK’s ongoing mission against ISIS in Iraq and Syria – not Israeli operations.
‘ABSOLUTELY STAGGERING’ BREACH
The security failure has prompted urgent questions about how activists on scooters could penetrate one of Britain’s most important military bases.
Ben Obese-Jecty, a Liberal Democrat MP and former army officer, called the breach “absolutely staggering.
Given the current heightened global tensions, the increase in activity and the recent exploitation of the vulnerability of Russian airbases by Ukraine, it is incredible that our busiest RAF base could be compromised,” he said.
Shadow Armed Forces Minister Mark Francois said there were “serious questions for the Ministry of Defence to answer about how protesters, who might even have turned out to be armed terrorists, were able to gain access to what is supposed to be a secure RAF airbase”.
SOCIAL MEDIA FURY
The footage sparked immediate outrage on social media, with hundreds questioning how security could be “that lacking” at a major military installation.
One user wrote: “How in the world can Security be that lacking at a military airbase? Should require a major investigation.”
Another added: “How does a vandal on a scooter get onto a military airbase like that? Serious lapse of security there.”
A third exclaimed: “The fact that you can get on an airbase and get near tanker aircraft without getting arrested is absolutely amazing.
Military analysts warned the breach exposed critical vulnerabilities at a time of heightened global tensions.
Matthew Savill, director of military sciences at the Royal United Services Institute, told The Times: “In a war, sabotage will be a risk and bases like Brize Norton represent critical points in our system.
MoD CONDEMNS ‘VANDALISM’
The Ministry of Defence issued a scathing statement condemning the attack.
We strongly condemn this vandalism of Royal Air Force assets. We are working closely with the police who are investigating,” a spokeswoman said.
Our Armed Forces represent the very best of Britain. They put their lives on the line for us, and their display of duty, dedication and selfless personal sacrifice are an inspiration to us all. It is our responsibility to support those who defend us.”
Thames Valley Police confirmed they had received a report of criminal damage and were working with Ministry of Defence Police to locate those responsible.
VITAL STRATEGIC ASSET
RAF Brize Norton is the RAF’s largest station with approximately 5,800 service personnel and serves as the hub for UK strategic air transport and air-to-air refuelling.
The base’s Voyager fleet – consisting of nine core aircraft – provides crucial air-to-air refuelling capability for fast jets including Typhoons and F-35s, extending their range for operations worldwide.
Each Voyager can carry up to 109 tonnes of fuel and also operates as a strategic transport, capable of carrying 291 passengers or serving as an airborne hospital with up to 40 stretchers.
The aircraft have been vital to numerous operations including the evacuation from Afghanistan in 2021 and ongoing counter-ISIS operations under Operation Shader.
PALESTINE ACTION’S CAMPAIGN
Palestine Action has previously targeted defence companies and sites it claims are linked to Israeli military operations, including arms manufacturers and banks.
In May, the group claimed responsibility for spray-painting a US military aircraft in Ireland.
The group made sweeping claims about RAF operations, alleging British Voyagers refuel “US/Israeli fighter jets” and that Atlas transport aircraft carry weapons to Israel – claims dismissed as “totally inaccurate” by defence sources.
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
Work is now underway to assess the damage to the two Voyager aircraft, though no operations or planned movements are thought to have been affected.
Questions are now being raised about whether the incident represents an intelligence failure as well as a security breach, given the activists appeared to know exactly where to find the aircraft.
Former military personnel warned that if activists with spray paint could penetrate the base so easily, what could trained saboteurs or terrorists achieve?
As one defence analyst put it: “This isn’t just about some paint on expensive planes – it’s about the fact that Britain’s military installations can apparently be breached by anyone with a scooter and a fire extinguisher.
