An unmanned UK Army spyplane has crashed landed at MOD Boscombe Down.

The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Watchkeeper drone — one of eight currently being tested from the base — suffered extensive damage last night.

The £1.2billion fleet of drones is under testing and it is expected to come into operation in 2017.

Nobody was injured in the incident and an investigation has been launched.

An Army spokesman said: “I can confirm that on November 2 an Army Watchkeeper unmanned aerial system was involved in an incident on landing at Boscombe down airfield

“A comprehensive investigation will be completed by the Defence safety Authority [the Military Aviation Authority], therefore, it would be inappropriate to offer any additional comment at this point.”

The drone was on a routine training exercise.