Drones spotted near British military bases almost daily — media

Unauthorized drones are being detected almost daily near British military bases, sparking concerns over the UK's vulnerability to potential threats from Russia and Iran, according to The Independent. Over the past year, there have been around 340 drone-related incidents at or near UK Ministry of Defence sites, a significant increase from 250 in 2025 and 126 the previous year.

The Ministry of Defence has not identified the suspects behind these incidents, but experts quoted by The Independent suggest that hostile actors possibly connected to Moscow or Tehran may be responsible. Former defense minister Tobias Ellwood stated that the surge in reported incidents indicates British military facilities are being targeted, warning that unauthorized drones could be equipped with lethal capabilities.

The Ministry of Defence attributes the rise in incidents to improved reporting, drone detection technology, and personnel awareness. Armed Forces Minister Louise Sanderson-Jones emphasized the government's serious concern over the threat posed by hostile drones and revealed that the UK is investing in counter-drone systems and has granted military personnel new powers to neutralize threatening drones.

In February, restricted airspace zones were established over 44 critical defense sites, with an additional 160 sites set to receive similar restrictions later this year. Legislation expected to take effect by year-end will enable military personnel to disable threatening drones in various locations without police intervention. The government has also quadrupled its spending on counter-drone capabilities and allocated £750 million under the Defence Investment Plan for enhancing drone defense at home and abroad.