UK reports surge in drone sightings over nuclear and military sites

The United Kingdom has recorded a significant increase in unauthorized drone activity near nuclear facilities and military installations. According to Ministry of Defence figures, 100 drone sightings involving nuclear sites or nuclear-related assets, such as submarines, were logged between January and August. This frequency averages approximately three incidents per week.

The current figures already exceed the total number of incidents recorded in both 2024 and 2025. In 2025, there were 69 incidents, while 2024 saw 47, compared to just 18 in 2020. Broader MOD data indicates that uncrewed aerial vehicle incidents near defense sites more than doubled from 126 in 2024 to 266 in 2025.

Security specialists, including Professor Anthony Glees of the University of Buckingham, have suggested that the surge may be linked to intelligence gathering by hostile actors. While the data does not explicitly identify the operators, experts have pointed toward Russia as a primary suspect, noting that China and Iran could also be interested in assessing British defensive capabilities. Such surveillance is viewed by some as potential preparation for future conflict.