Drones have been spotted over UK military sites over 260 times this year, raising security concerns and prompting investigations by authorities.
UK: Drones have been spotted flying over military sites more than 260 times this year. The Ministry of Defence Police shared this information recently.
Reports of drone sightings have increased sharply in just one year. In 2024, there were 263 confirmed reports, compared to 164 the previous year.
Most of these cases ended with nothing found. However, in one case, a pilot was located and arrested after an alarm was triggered.
Authorities issued warnings to pilots in other instances. Some drones were found on military grounds, but many alarms led to no discoveries.
Peter Burt from Drone Wars UK noted that unauthorized drone use near military sites is rising. He mentioned that police resources are stretched due to this issue.
He also pointed out that many alarms might be false or due to the difficulty of locating pilots in large areas.
Drones, ranging from toys to larger models, are banned from flying near military sites. However, their increasing availability raises security concerns.
Experts warn that drones can be used for both good and bad purposes. They can pose a unique security threat, especially around sensitive locations.
Last year, drone alarms were triggered 111 times at UK military bases, but nothing was found in most cases. Pilots received advice in 58 instances.
Reports of drone activity have also increased, with the Ministry of Defence Police filing more intelligence reports than before.
Drone Incidents in 2024
Drone alarm activation, nothing found: 111
Drone alarm activation, pilot found, words of advice: 58
UAV/drone/quadcopter activity over prohibited space: 47
Total: 263
These incidents come amid rising international concerns about drone activity near military bases. Experts link these sightings to potential espionage and sabotage.
In November, the US Air Force reported UAVs near their bases in the UK. They monitored these drones to ensure safety.
The UK is actively seeking solutions to address the threat posed by drones. The Ministry of Defence Police is leading investigations into these incidents.
Officials assure that they take threats seriously and have measures in place to protect military sites.
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