'Rogue Drones' Target UK Military Sites Hundreds of Times Amid Russia Tensions
Officials said improved monitoring and restricted airspace zones helped drive the rise in reported incidents.
- Some 340 security incidents involving drones were reported at or near Ministry of Defence sites in the year to August 2026, revealing Britain's military bases are facing near-daily surveillance.
- Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned on Friday that Moscow is planning hybrid strikes with drones or missiles targeting Nato countries supporting Ukraine, amid growing Russian threats.
- Minister for the Armed Forces Louise Sandher-Jones stated the government is "taking the threat posed by hostile drones to defence sites extremely seriously," backed by £750 million in Defence Investment Plan funding.
- The government will introduce restricted airspace over 160 additional sites this autumn, while the Armed Forces Bill will soon empower personnel to neutralize drones threatening defence sites.
- Former Tory defence minister Tobias Ellwood criticized the government as "asleep," arguing the sharp uptick in incidents proves the British military is viewed "as a target" and remains vulnerable.
27 Articles
27 Articles
The British Independent revealed on Saturday that British military positions have been attacked by drones more than 300 times over the past 12 months.
Drones have been targeted at military targets in the United Kingdom more than 300 times in the past year, according to figures published by the country's media on Saturday.
Ministry of Defense does not provide any information on the origin of the drones.
According to data published by the British media, 340 drone incidents were recorded at and near military sites in Great Britain over the past year, while there have been fewer such incidents in previous years.
According to the report, the drone sightings on British military bases have almost tripled since 2024, and additional airspace restrictions are now to be imposed.
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