Drone crackdown kicks off 19 February 2026 as the UK clamps down on unmanned aircraft near key Ministry of Defence (MOD) sites. The new drone-only no-fly zones come amid rising national security fears under the National Security Act.
Drone No-Fly Zones: Where Are They?
These fresh restrictions slam the brakes on drone flights near critical MOD locations, including:
- RAF bases like Alconbury, Fairford, Lakenheath, Mildenhall, and Menwith Hill
- Nuclear facilities and weapons sites such as Aldermaston, Burghfield, and Barrow-in-Furness
- Major naval bases including HMNB Clyde, Devonport, and Portsmouth
- Other sensitive hotspots like Porton Down, Northwood, and MOD Corsham
Drones must steer clear below altitudes ranging from 500ft to nearly 3,000ft, depending on the site.
Who Can Still Fly Drones?
- MOD and US visiting forces operating at specified RAF bases, plus defence contractors like BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, and AWE Nuclear Security Technologies
- Emergency services including police, fire brigades, and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency responding to incidents
- Anyone with official green light from the MOD or authorised bodies
Why The Tough New Rules?
“The Secretary of State has determined it is necessary in the public interest to restrict unmanned aircraft flights near MOD sites due to national security risks,” the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Ministry of Defence Prohibited Places) Regulations 2026 states.
These fresh regulations scrap the old 2024 MOD drone restrictions and tighten the no-fly zones to safeguard vital military sites.
