UK drone incidents near bases surge; government to empower shoot-downs

BBC data show drone incidents near UK military bases rose from 126 in 2024 to 266 in 2025. Defence Secretary John Healey says the increase, possibly involving hostile state actors, underscores evolving threats and the government's plan under the Armed Forces Bill to give the military power to shoot down rogue drones near bases and extend counter-drone capabilities (including underwater drones). Rules for drone operators were tightened earlier this year with flier IDs for drones 100g and above.