Drones Reported Near UK Military Bases Almost Daily — Media
Unauthorized drones are being detected almost daily near British military bases, raising concerns over the UK’s vulnerability to growing threats from Russia and Iran, The Independent reports.
Around 340 drone-related incidents were recorded at or near UK Ministry of Defence sites over the past year, compared with 250 in 2025 and 126 the year before.
The Ministry of Defence has not disclosed who it suspects of being behind the incidents. However, experts cited by The Independent said hostile actors linked to Moscow or Tehran could be involved.
Former Conservative defense minister and ex-soldier Tobias Ellwood said the sharp increase in reported incidents suggests British military facilities are being treated as potential targets.
“Right now, these are just unauthorized drones operating passively, but it would not take much to give them kinetic capability and allow them to deliver lethal strikes,” Ellwood said.
He also claimed that Russia and Iran are behind many of the incidents, alleging that hostile networks conduct reconnaissance and recruit people in the UK to carry out operations.
The Ministry of Defence, however, said the increase in recorded incidents also reflects improvements in reporting, drone-detection technology and personnel awareness.
Armed Forces Minister Louise Sanderson-Jones told The Independent that the government takes the threat posed by hostile drones to defense sites “extremely seriously.”
She said the UK is investing in counter-drone systems and has given military personnel new powers to disable drones posing a threat to defense facilities.
In February, restricted airspace zones were introduced over 44 critical defense sites across the UK. Another 160 sites are expected to receive similar restrictions this autumn.
Sanderson-Jones said legislation coming into force by the end of the year will allow military personnel to disable threatening drones in the air, on the ground or in water without requiring police assistance.
She added that the government has quadrupled spending on counter-drone capabilities since taking office. A further £750 million has been allocated under the Defence Investment Plan for counter-drone systems and protection of British forces both at home and overseas.
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21 of September 2026
