Military2026

UK moves to let defence personnel take down drones near bases

When: 2 Feb 2026
Sources: 2 public sources

The Ministry of Defence Main Building in London Tagishsimon, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The UK Ministry of Defence said drone incidents near defence sites doubled to 266 in 2025 and that the Armed Forces Bill would let authorised personnel counter drones there without police help. The plan was first reported in October 2025.

Sources

OfficialNew powers for Defence personnel to defeat drones following doubling of incidents near bases (opens in a new tab)UK Ministry of Defence (GOV.UK) / 2026-02-02
PressUK to Authorize Troops to Shoot Down Drones Threatening Military Sites: Report (opens in a new tab)The Defense Post / 2025-10-20

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Where it fits

Earlier in MilitaryDutch troops fire on drones over Volkel air base21 Nov 2025 Later in MilitaryWaves of unauthorized drones over Barksdale AFB9 Mar 2026

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