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.
Timeline
Feb 3, 2026
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.
Dec 31, 2025
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.
Dec 15, 2025
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.
Nov 3, 2025
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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