RAF jets nearly collided with two radar-invisible mystery drones over the North Sea in February, investigations reveal

Royal Air Force Typhoon and Voyager pilots reported two alarming near-misses with unidentified drones flying at illegal altitudes over the North Sea in February — neither object appeared on radar, leaving investigators unable to identify the craft. The objects were spotted days apart near Cromer in Norfolk and 30 miles off Humberside, both operating at altitudes over 40 times the legal limit for commercial drones. Multiple external investigations are now ongoing after the RAF reported both incidents to police. Hostile surveillance by a foreign state has not been ruled out.

On February 18, an RAF Voyager tanker pilot reflexively ducked after an object passed close overhead at 17,000ft during a mid-air refuelling exercise.

The second incident came five days later, when a Typhoon pilot spotted a 'black circular object similar in size to a car tyre' pass directly above him at around 300ft above his jet.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed it is investing more than £2 billion in air defence and counter-drone capabilities, but refused to comment directly on the incidents.