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Britain's new nuclear-capable fighter jets could be at risk due to inadequate security measures, with some bases protected by mere 5ft-high fences. Several of the RAF's key bases, including a proposed future site for Britain's F35 fighters, vulnerable to attacks from activists and foreign spies.

In certain areas, the "vulnerable" airstrips are shielded only by hedges, wooden fences, or in some cases, nothing at all, according to an investigation by The Telegraph. Its visits to various bases revealed infrequent patrols, large stretches without barbed wire, and CCTV that didn't cover the entire perimeters. At one location, the RAF's primary intelligence and surveillance facility, a 700-metre stretch of its perimeter close to the runway is made up of merely hedgerows and metal and 6ft tall wooden fencing.

Close by, another area is secured by a 6ft-high, garden-style wooden fence running almost 1.5 miles along its northern and eastern boundaries. This facility houses RAF Typhoon fighter squadrons.

Another site, being considered to house nuclear-capable F35s, also lacks protection. One 200-metre section of its boundary consists of only a 5ft chain-link fence without any barbed wire.

Boundaries also remain exposed at two RAF locations identified as targets by Palestine Action during a gathering last week, according to the outlet.

This comes after members of the group broke into Brize Norton and defaced two Voyager aircraft with red spray paint, resulting in four arrests.

Supporting Palestine Action will now become a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison following its ban.

One of its new targets was the RAF's officer training establishment which had a four-mile portion protected by drystone walls, damaged wooden barriers, hedgerows, or absolutely nothing.

There were also several poorly defended emergency entry points - two of which remain entirely open and one safeguarded by moveable metal obstacles and a notice saying "keep off".

The boundary of another location mentioned by Palestine Action - largely consisting of hedgerows - features three unattended gate barriers which fail to cover any gaps.

New, 10ft-high black metal fences seem to have been recently installed to replace three other gate barriers.

Mark Francois, shadow defence minister, expressed his concern over these "serious revelations", urging the RAF to quickly reassess base security.

He said: "The MoD has announced a review of security at all military installations, which must be thorough but also conducted at pace. These serious revelations underline just how crucial that security review now is."

Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice claimed the RAF was guilty of a "clear failure of leadership", adding: "Our bases need to be made fully secure."

Ed Arnold, a former British Army officer who was previously in charge of security at a UK base, said: Palestine Action has shown just how vulnerable the bases are.

"If more dangerous actors followed their example, it could be a hand grenade thrown into a plane's engine - not just red paint.

"Russia and Iran will be watching closely and thinking that they could sabotage these bases too. Palestine Action has revealed how easy it would be and it is certainly a threat we should worry about."

The MoD said: "We take security extremely seriously and operate a multi-layered approach to protect our sites, including fencing, patrols and CCTV monitoring.

"Following the security incident at RAF Brize Norton, we are urgently reviewing security procedures across the Defence estate and have immediately implemented a series of enhanced security measures at all sites.

"After years of hollowing out and underfunding of the Armed Forces, the Strategic Defence Review concluded that we need to invest more in this area, backed by the largest sustained increase in defence spending since the end of the Cold War."