Declassified files reveal that British defence officials were instructed to hunt down and potentially reverse-engineer extraterrestrial technology to bolster the nation’s military capabilities. This directive came in the wake of credible intelligence suggesting that unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs), commonly referred to as UFOs, were real and exhibited capabilities far beyond known human technology.
The Defence Intelligence Staff (DIS), a unit within the Ministry of Defence, was tasked with investigating UAPs during the 1990s. An internal memo dated March 4, 1997, highlighted the potential threat and opportunity posed by these phenomena: “Logic would indicate that if significant numbers are reporting seeing strange objects in the sky then there may be a basis in fact. It could be argued that UAPs pose a potential threat to the defence of the realm since we have no idea what they are!”
The DIS was particularly interested in reports from Belgium, where thousands of people witnessed giant, silent, low-flying black triangles between November 1989 and April 1990. These UAPs were observed hovering for extended periods and accelerating to supersonic speeds, outmanoeuvring even advanced F-16 fighter jets. A report noted, “UAPs do not appear to use conventional reaction propulsion. The Belgian deltas (confirmed by the country’s MoD) hovered for long periods and accelerated quickly to supersonic speeds, outrunning F-16s. If this represents real technology, perhaps it should be acquired.”
One of the most famous incidents referenced in the documents was the Rendlesham Forest encounter near RAF Woodbridge in Suffolk in December 1980. Described as a ‘landing’ confirmed by the US unit commander and others, the UAP reportedly did not use any conventional propulsion system and could hover as well as move at considerable speed. This event underscored the urgency for Britain to investigate and potentially harness such advanced technology.
The documents also revealed that the French and an informal intelligence grouping in the US shared Britain’s interest in UAPs. A briefing letter marked ‘Secret UK Eyes B’ stated, “The reported technology, if true, would represent technology we do not have. No matter the origin, the determination of the technology, and possible acquisition, is a matter for Defence Intelligence Staff.”
While most UFO reports were deemed tenuous, a small number could not be immediately explained. Some reports described objects with manoeuvrability, speed, and shapes beyond current engineering knowledge. A report cautioned, “There is considerable difficulty, therefore, in assessing and prioritising these reports sufficiently quickly to provide, where warranted, an active response.”
The DIS acknowledged the stigma associated with UAP research but advocated for an open-minded approach. A report noted, “Mention of UAPs is guaranteed to generate mirth and a range of Little Green Men jokes, possibly because of the fringe element of ‘crazies’ and the lack of conventional intelligence information.” Despite the potential for ridicule, the report warned against dismissing the possibility of extraterrestrial life outright.
“Continuing discoveries of planets and emerging knowledge of circumstances needed for, at least, non-intelligent life will lead to speculation that planets and life may commonly occur,” the report stated. “With that change of perception, arguing that our rock alone is a teeming and verdant speck in a vast and sterile nothingness may soon be as unrewarding as the church once found in continuing to insist that the world was flat; more so with the knowledge that many suns are older than our own and perhaps provide conditions for advanced evolution.”
The Defence Intelligence Staff was renamed Defence Intelligence in 2009. In 2024, the minister for defence readiness, Luke Pollard, informed MPs that similar analysis was no longer taking place. However, the declassified files offer a fascinating glimpse into a period when Britain seriously considered the potential of extraterrestrial technology to reshape its military capabilities.
This revelation underscores the evolving nature of defence strategies and the continuous quest for technological superiority. As nations explore the frontiers of science and technology, the lessons from the past serve as a reminder of the importance of remaining open to unconventional possibilities.