In a move that’s sent shockwaves through the UK’s military establishment, pro-Palestinian activists claim they successfully broke into RAF Brize Norton—Britain’s largest Royal Air Force base—and sabotaged two military aircraft in a bold protest.
Palestine Action, the group behind the operation, says two of its members managed to infiltrate the highly secured site in Oxfordshire and spray red paint directly into the engines of two Airbus Voyager planes.
These aircraft are critical for mid-air refuelling missions and often support both UK and allied military operations.
Protesters Film the Act and Escape Undetected
Early on Thursday morning, the group released footage that appeared to show activists racing across the tarmac on electric scooters.
The bodycam clips then captured them using modified fire extinguishers to spray thick red paint into the turbines of the massive planes.
They didn’t stop there. The activists claim they also used crowbars to inflict more damage, smeared more red paint across the runway, and planted a Palestinian flag before making their escape—without being caught.
The footage has since gone viral and left many questioning how such a major security lapse could happen at one of the UK’s most important airbases.
Why Brize Norton Matters in Global Conflict
RAF Brize Norton is no ordinary base. With around 5,800 military personnel, hundreds of civilian staff, and key military aircraft, it plays a central role in the UK’s global air operations.
The two planes that were targeted—Airbus Voyagers—are known as “flying petrol stations.”
They can carry up to 109 tonnes of fuel and provide critical mid-air refuelling for fighter jets and other aircraft.
One Voyager, decorated with the Union Jack, has even been used to transport British Prime Ministers and Royal Family members on overseas visits.
Reports suggest some of these aircraft are on standby to be sent to the Middle East amid rising tensions between Iran and Israel.
That region has been on edge ever since Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion” struck over 100 targets in Iran, killing senior military figures and setting off a week of retaliatory missile exchanges between the two countries.
Activists Say Sabotage Was Intentional and Political
In a statement, Palestine Action defended the sabotage, saying their goal was to disrupt what they called the UK’s involvement in “genocide” in Gaza.
They specifically mentioned that RAF Brize Norton is a launch point for military flights to RAF Akrotiri in Cyprus—a base used for operations in the Middle East.
“Britain isn’t just complicit—it’s actively participating in war crimes across the region,” the group claimed.
“By taking two military aircraft out of service, we have directly intervened to stop further violence against Palestinians.”
The group’s latest actions come just days after they also released footage of themselves vandalizing a UK warehouse believed to supply military equipment to Israel.
Fallout and Unanswered Questions
So far, the Ministry of Defence and Thames Valley Police have not publicly responded to the incident.
But this breach raises urgent questions about security at military installations, especially during a time of growing instability in the Middle East and increasing threats from both Iran and Russia.
With Voyager aircraft reportedly scheduled for potential deployment, and with the UK’s military closely tied to operations involving both Israel and NATO allies, this sabotage could have ripple effects far beyond the base itself.