Drone incidents near UK military bases double, raising security concerns

The number of drone-related incidents near military bases in the United Kingdom has doubled over the past year, according to figures obtained by the BBC, prompting fresh concerns about national security and potential foreign involvement.

There were 266 recorded drone incidents in 2025, up from 126 in 2024. Government sources said that in some cases they “can’t rule out hostile state actors”.

UK Defence Secretary John Healey said the rise highlighted the evolving nature of modern threats.

“The doubling of rogue drones near military sites in the UK in the last year underlines the increasing and changing nature of the threats we face,” he said.

Under current law, UK military personnel do not have the authority to shoot down drones and must instead rely on police intervention. The government is now introducing legislation to change this, granting the armed forces new powers to act against airborne drones and those operating underwater.

Healey said: “Through the Armed Forces Bill we’re giving our military greater powers to take out and shoot down threatening drones near bases, and stepping up investment in counter-drone technology to keep Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”

At present, protocol requires soldiers to use counter-drone systems to divert drones or disrupt their GPS signals. While the proposed new powers are primarily focused on military sites, officials have indicated they could be extended to civilian locations such as airports.

The issue gained attention last year after multiple drones were spotted over four British air bases used by the US Air Force: RAF Lakenheath and RAF Mildenhall in Suffolk, RAF Feltwell in Norfolk, and RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire. The exact nature and origin of those sightings remain unknown.

The rise in incidents comes amid tighter drone regulations in the UK. At the start of this year, new rules lowered the weight threshold requiring operator registration: anyone flying a drone or model aircraft weighing 100 grams or more must now hold a flyer ID, down from the previous limit of 250 grams.

Across Europe, drone incursions increased last year at sensitive sites including commercial airports and power stations. These incidents have been linked by some officials to Russia’s suspected programme of “hybrid warfare”, nearly four years into its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

In response, the European Union is planning a continent-wide defensive system. A proposed “drone wall”, designed to detect and destroy rogue drones from the Baltic states to the Black Sea, is expected to be operational by 2027, according to EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas.

By Sabina Mammadli