Battlefield tactics to help fight prison drones

Homeland January 21, 2026

The Ministry of Justice (MoJ) has initiated a strategic programme to adapt battlefield-proven counter-drone technologies for use within the UK prison estate.

Following a mandate from the Deputy Prime Minister, the government is seeking to leverage innovation and technical expertise derived from the conflict in Ukraine to combat the escalating threat of illicit drone activity. This initiative is supported by a newly announced £6.5 million investment from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), intended to accelerate the research and development of next-generation anti-drone systems.

The demand for such technology is driven by a significant rise in security breaches. Official statistics indicate there were 1,712 recorded drone incidents at prisons across England and Wales between April 2024 and March 2025. This represents part of a broader trend, with drone-related incidents increasing by 770% between 2019 and 2023. Consequently, the government has allocated a £40 million security boost for the current year, which includes £10 million specifically dedicated to anti-drone measures, such as exterior netting, reinforced windows, and electronic detection systems.

For the UK defence and security supply chain, this policy shift creates immediate commercial opportunities through upcoming procurement competitions. The Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with UK Defence Innovation and UKRI, is set to launch high-stakes challenges inviting international and domestic businesses to pitch breakthrough solutions. These competitions aim to identify technologies capable of detecting and neutralising unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used by organised crime groups to smuggle contraband. The initiative marks an expansion of the Ministry’s engagement with industry, building on recent technology showcases that focused on frontline security and monitoring.

This domestic security drive is closely linked to the UK’s broader 100-Year Partnership with Ukraine. The UK has committed a record £350 million in 2025 to bolster Ukraine’s drone supply, aiming to increase production from 10,000 units in 2024 to 100,000 by the end of 2025. The reciprocal exchange of technical expertise ensures that the UK remains at the forefront of counter-UAS capabilities. By integrating battle-tested tactics into the civilian security infrastructure, the government intends to professionalise the response to aerial threats and provide a stable, long-term market for security technology providers. This cross-government initiative highlights a clear pathway for defence contractors to transition military-grade innovations into the domestic security sector, addressing critical national infrastructure vulnerabilities.

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