1 - The Black Vault

11fit'ilicltor;ate of Air Staff (Lower Airspace)
Q[lera't1iDnls-and'Pi>lic,vJ1, Room 6/73
MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
~Building, Northumberland Avenue, London, WC2N 5BP
f"''~IQ...
Telephone
(Direct dial)
(Fax)
1 2182140
LU SiiS: I 40/
Your Reference
0\!!" Reference ./
DIDASf64/3 ¥
Date
"2.$ October 200 I
Thank you for your e-mail dated 26 September 200 I, which was passed to this office,
concerning research you are doing for the Discovery Channel in the U.S. on a show about
"unidentified flying objects". We are the focal point within the MOD for correspondence relating
to 'UFOs'.
First, it may be helpful ifl explain that the Ministry of Defence examines any reports of
'unidentified flying objects' it receives solely to establish whether what was seen might have some
defence significance; namely, whether there is any evidence that the United Kingdom's airspace
might have been compromised by hostile or unauthorised air activity. Unless there is evidence of a
potential threat, and to date no 'UFO' report has revealed such evidence, MOD does not attempt
to identify the precise nature of each reported sighting. We believe it is possible that rational
explanations, such as aircraft lights or natural phenomena, could be found for them, but it is not the
function of the MOD to provide this kind of aerial identification service. We could not justify
expe~diture of public funds on investigations which go beyond our specific defence remit.
The MOD does not have any expertise or role in respect of'UFOfflying saucer' matters or
to the question of the existence or otherwise of extraterrestriallifeforms, about which it remains
totally open-minded. I should add that to date the MOD knows of no evidence which substantiates
the existence of these alleged phenomena. I am afraid, therefore, that due to our limited interest in
these matters, we do not recommend witnesses of ' UFO' sightings or 'UFO' organisations. I am
sorry to send what I know will be a disappointing reply.