UK and US militaries expand counter-drone authorities and domestic drone production
The UK Ministry of Defence is advancing legal changes in the Armed Forces Bill to give British defence personnel explicit authority to neutralize drones and other unmanned platforms deemed threatening near military bases and operations, a power currently more constrained and typically exercised by police and select agencies. The MoD cited a sharp rise in reported unmanned aerial intrusions near sensitive UK sites (266 in 2025 vs. 126 in 2024) and indicated the practical response will often rely on electronic countermeasures (e.g., RF jamming) rather than small-arms fire; recent examples and demonstrations referenced include RF jamming incidents and UK testing of directed-energy counter-drone systems (high-energy RF and laser-based capabilities).
Separately, the U.S. Marine Corps’ 2nd Maintenance Battalion announced an NDAA-compliant modular drone, HANX, designed to avoid China-sourced parts and to be rapidly manufactured and repaired using 3D-printed components in-house. The stated intent is to shorten procurement and sustainment timelines by reducing reliance on external contractors while enabling quick reconfiguration for missions ranging from reconnaissance to “one-way attack” roles, reflecting a broader push toward more secure, domestically supportable unmanned systems within U.S. defense organizations.
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UK advances Armed Forces Bill to expand military counter-drone powers
The UK moved forward with an Armed Forces Bill that would allow defense personnel to neutralize threatening unmanned aerial, land, and underwater systems near bases and operations. The Ministry of Defence said the change was needed because current law largely reserves such powers for police and certain agencies.
Drone sightings near sensitive UK military sites more than double in 2025
The UK Ministry of Defence reported 266 sightings of unmanned intruders near sensitive military sites in 2025, up from 126 in 2024. The increase was cited as a key driver for expanding military counter-drone authority and investment.
French marines use jammer during drone incident at nuclear submarine facility
In December, marines responding to drones over a French nuclear submarine facility were initially reported to have opened fire, but the response was later clarified as use of a jammer. The incident was cited as an example of practical counter-drone measures.
Marine team designs HANX NDAA-compliant modular drone in about 90 days
At the II Marine Expeditionary Force Innovation Campus, Sgt. Henry David Volpe and a small team designed and prototyped the HANX drone in roughly 90 days for the U.S. Marine Corps' 2nd Maintenance Battalion. The system was built around in-house production, 3D-printed parts, and avoidance of restricted adversary-country components.
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British military to get legal OK to swat drones near bases • The Register
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Open sourceUS Marine Corps develops first 3D printed drone with no China-sourced parts, dubbed HANX - modular design makes it quick to adapt from reconnaissance to one-way attack, and other duties | Tom's Hardware
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US Military Expands Counter-Drone Defenses After Base Incursions and Middle East Threats
U.S. military leaders said small unmanned aircraft are increasingly threatening both domestic installations and overseas operations, prompting a broader push to improve counter-drone defenses. Gen. Gregory Guillot told lawmakers that **350 drone detections** were reported over the past year across **100 U.S. military installations**, with the primary concern being surveillance of sensitive capabilities by known and unknown actors. He said existing authorities under `Title 10, Section 130i` are too narrow because only about half of installations are covered and commanders often cannot act against drones flying just outside base perimeters. NORTHCOM and NORAD have since established a dedicated counter-drone operations branch, and the Pentagon designated NORTHCOM as the lead coordinator for counter-small UAS efforts in the continental United States and Alaska. At the same time, the Pentagon is continuing to send counter-UAS systems to the Middle East through **Joint Interagency Task Force 401** as regional tensions and an unstable ceasefire sustain demand for air defense. JIATF-401 said it committed more than **$600 million** in counter-drone defenses for Operation Epic Fury and domestic missions, including about **$350 million** in roughly 30 days for CENTCOM. Officials and outside experts said the threat now spans Iran-backed drone activity, lessons from the Russia-Ukraine war, unauthorized flights over bases such as **Barksdale Air Force Base**, southern border operations, and security planning for major events including the **2026 FIFA World Cup**. The Defense Department is also testing commercially available systems through Falcon Peak exercises to detect, track, identify, and defeat low-emission and no-emission drones.
May 8, 2026
Rising Drone Threats to Military and Critical Infrastructure in Europe
The UK Ministry of Defence reported a sharp increase in **drone sightings near British military bases**, citing **266 incidents** last year versus **126 in 2024**, and linked the trend to concerns about hostile reconnaissance of sensitive defence sites, including airbases used by the **US Air Force**. In response, the UK government is moving to expand authorities under the **Armed Forces Bill** so designated military personnel can directly intervene against threatening uncrewed systems—covering **air, land, and submersible drones**—without first requiring police involvement. In Ukraine, **SpaceX and Ukrainian authorities** implemented an **emergency measure** to disable **unauthorized Starlink terminals** being used to control Russian long-range drones, following reports that Russia continued leveraging Starlink-enabled connectivity for strikes deeper inside Ukraine. Ukrainian officials characterized the action as a temporary fix that may also disrupt some legitimate users, while SpaceX and Ukraine pursue a more durable approach to prevent unauthorized use of the satellite service in contested environments—highlighting how **commercial communications infrastructure** is being exploited as part of drone-enabled warfare and broader hybrid threats across Europe.
Mar 21, 2026
Advancements in Drone Tracking, Defense, and Communications Technology
Recent developments in drone technology have led to significant changes in both civilian and military sectors. The global rollout of Remote ID mandates now requires civilian drones to continuously broadcast identification and location data, fundamentally altering operational security for organizations using drones. This new infrastructure enables real-time tracking of drone activity, raising both privacy and security considerations for information security professionals. In parallel, the integration of satellite communication capabilities directly into smartphones is eliminating traditional connectivity dead zones, enhancing both emergency response and operational continuity for users in remote areas. On the defense front, the U.S. Army is actively testing the second generation of the vehicle-mounted LOCUST laser weapon system, designed to counter drone threats. This 20,000-watt-class laser, now integrated with modern military vehicles, features improved lethality and adaptability, aiming to provide rapid and effective protection against drone swarms. These advancements collectively highlight the accelerating convergence of drone surveillance, counter-drone measures, and resilient communications infrastructure, reshaping the landscape for both civilian and military stakeholders.
Mar 21, 2026