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The Army has been called in to help police in the hunt for operators of drones which have shut down Gatwick Airport.

They were deployed around the airport with specialist electronic equipment capable of tracking drones in the dark.

Sources told the Mirror the Army’s hi-tech equipment might also help track down the operators of the remote aircraft.

It is believed the equipment is highly sensitive and has been used on the battlefield.

The military was contacted as the search for the devices and whoever is operating them becomes more and more desperate.

More than 110,000 people's travel plans have been disrupted in the mayhem - and flight cancellations at the UK's second busiest airport continue to soar.

"There are ongoing discussions with the police about any military capability that could be provided to assist with their operation," a spokesman for Britain's Ministry of Defence earlier said.

Defence Secretary Gavin Williamson told Sky News: "Sussex Police have requested assistance and support from the armed forces, and we will be deploying the armed forces to give them the help that they need."

The British Army has deployed unspecified equipment at Gatwick Airport, the ministry of defence said, after drones flying near the airport grounded flights and stranded thousands of Christmas travellers.

"We are deploying specialist equipment to Gatwick Airport to assist Sussex Police," a spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

An emergency Whitehall meeting is also being held in response to the crisis.

(Image: Getty Images)

The runway has been closed almost constantly since two drones were spotted being flown inside the West Sussex airport's perimeter at 9pm on Wednesday.

Police have described the devices as "industrial" models and are treating the incident as "a deliberate act to disrupt the airport".

Some 110,000 people were due to either take off or land at the airport on 760 flights on Thursday.

(Image: REUTERS)

Around 10,000 passengers were affected on Wednesday night.

Flights to and from Gatwick remain suspended.

In an emailed statement, Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling said: "This is clearly a very serious ongoing incident in which substantial drones have been used to bring about the temporary closure of a major international airport.

"The people who were involved should face the maximum possible custodial sentence for the damage they have done.

"Government is doing everything it can to support Sussex police."