Use of drones in defence

The nature of warfare is changing. Conflict, and activities below the threshold of conflict (often referred to as the grey zone), are increasingly characterised by technological innovation, digitisation and the pace at which that can be delivered.

As part of that technological evolution, drones are recognised as often low-cost solutions capable of delivering disproportionate effect on the battlefield. They can be utilised across land, sea and air for one-way attack, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, targeting and logistical supply, among other things.

Learning lessons from the conflict in Ukraine and the extensive use of drone technologies by both parties, the UK is seeking to position itself as a leader in unmanned systems, both in terms of military application but also in terms of sovereign industrial capability.

Increasing focus is also being given to how to defend against such capabilities and the threats that unmanned systems can pose, both in a military and civilian context.

In July 2025, Defence Minister Lord Coaker said “Drones are a real weapon and resource of the future” and will “simply be something that we will all have to take account of as the battlefield of the future becomes clearer”.

The Ministry of Defence has said that, in Ukraine, “drones now kill more people than traditional artillery”. The UK’s support to Ukraine is one of the key mechanisms through which UK defence is keeping pace with the latest developments in drone technology and associated tactics.

In 2025/26 the government is investing £350 million in drone technologies to support Ukraine. This follows almost £400 million of investment in 2024/25.

As of July 2025, the UK has delivered “over 70,000 uncrewed systems to Ukraine”, including long-range attack drones, first person view (FPV), loitering munitions, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) drones and maritime drones. The aim is to deliver 100,000 drones by the end of the year.

The UK is also leading the Drone Capability Coalition with Latvia, which is working to increase the quality and quantity of drones provided to Ukraine.

The 2025 Strategic Defence Review, published in June 2025, calls for a transformation in deterrence and defence which, among other things, will see a move toward “warfighting readiness”, combining “a more lethal, integrated force” that utilises artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy alongside more conventional warfighting capabilities, with strengthened homeland defence. It envisages the development of a “hybrid navy”, a “next-generation RAF” and a “10x more lethal” Army, through a combination of manned and unmanned systems, including drones, to “create agility, lethality, mass and endurance”.

The greater use of autonomy and AI within the UK’s conventional forces has been identified by the MOD as “an immediate priority”. To that end, the government announced in the SDR that £4 billion would be invested, in the current Parliament, in autonomous systems, including drones. Further detail on the mix of capabilities, exact numbers and level of investment is expected in the Defence Investment Plan, due to be published towards the end of the year.

A new Drone Centre will also be established to “accelerate exploitation of small, uncrewed air systems across all three military services”. The centre will provide a “central knowledge base” to address any necessary legislative changes, develop best practice and manage the relationship with industry.