Documents from the Ministry¹ of Defence classified archives show staff believed aliens could visit for "military reconnaissance（侦查） ", "scientific" research or "tourism".

 

In a 1995 briefing now published by the National Archives, a desk officer said the purpose of reported alien craft sightings "needs to be established as a matter of priority", adding there did not appear to be "hostile intent".

 

The unnamed official said it was "essential that we start with open minds", explaining "what is scientific 'fact' today may not be true tomorrow".

 

Clarifying he did not "talk to little green men every night", he said: "We have a remit² that we have never satisfied. That is, we do not now (sic) if UFOs exist.

 

"If they do exist, we do not know what they are, their purpose or if they pose a threat to the UK.

 

"If the sightings are of devices not of the earth then their purpose needs to be established as a matter of priority. There has been no apparent hostile intent and other possibilities are: 1) Military reconnaissance; 2) Scientific; 3) Tourism."

 

He added that "if reports are taken at face value" they showed extraterrestrial vehicles had "a very wide range of speeds and are stealthy".

 

Thus, he suggested, "we could use this technology, if it exists".

 

His briefing document lists possible reasons for UFO sightings, including mass hallucinations（幻觉） , US aircraft, "atmospheric³ events" and hoaxes⁴, but indicated none provide a fully⁵ convincing explanation.

 

It adds there are "some indications that the reported incidents are only the tip of an iceberg⁶ and many people do not wish to risk embarrassment⁷ and so do not report sightings".

 

He also noted⁸ that the number of reports of "strange objects in the skies" increased dramatically after the Second World War, with most sightings coming from "farmers, policemen, doctors and lovers".

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