£1.85 Million Competition Launched to Counter Illegal UAS Use Around Prisons and Sensitive Sites

Why It Matters

Drone‑enabled contraband and surveillance threaten prison safety and national security; effective, low‑risk counter‑UAS solutions are essential to protect critical sites.

Key Takeaways

• £1.85 million funding for counter‑drone innovations
• Targets prisons, nuclear sites, and other sensitive locations
• Two challenges: high‑readiness TRL 7, medium‑readiness TRL 4‑5
• Solutions must neutralise drones safely, without collateral damage
• Deadline 31 March 2026; projects start July 2026

Pulse Analysis

The rise of inexpensive, off‑the‑shelf drones has transformed how criminal networks operate, enabling the smuggling of contraband, surveillance of prison perimeters, and even coordinated disruptions of critical infrastructure. Traditional counter‑UAS measures—such as kinetic interceptors or broad‑area jamming—pose unacceptable risks in densely populated or confined environments, where collateral damage could endanger inmates, staff, and nearby communications. As a result, authorities are seeking precise, low‑collateral technologies that can act as a final safeguard once a hostile UAV breaches a protected airspace.

UKDI’s new competition addresses this gap by allocating up to £1.85 million to innovators capable of delivering practical, deployable solutions. The two‑track structure encourages both rapid‑prototype projects that can reach Technology Readiness Level 7 within six months and longer‑term concepts targeting TRL 4‑5 over a year. By emphasizing legal and ethical compliance, rapid field deployment, and minimal infrastructure changes, the programme opens a clear pathway for SMEs, academia, and defence contractors to bring novel counter‑drone systems—such as directed‑energy devices, soft‑kill nets, or AI‑driven interception algorithms—into operational use.

Beyond immediate prison security, successful technologies could be repurposed for other high‑value sites, including nuclear decommissioning facilities, government buildings, and transport hubs, aligning with the UK’s broader defence and security strategy. The competition also signals a growing market for safe, scalable counter‑UAS solutions, attracting investment and fostering export opportunities. Stakeholders are urged to engage early, attend the launch webinar on 17 February, and submit proposals by the 31 March deadline to shape the next generation of drone defence capabilities.