The Ministry of Defence has confirmed {that a} new competitors for “novel uncrewed aerial programs” will start in early 2026, as a part of the federal government’s effort to broaden the UK’s drone capabilities and stimulate the defence know-how sector.
Responding to parliamentary questions from Ben Overweight-Jecty MP, Defence Minister Luke Pollard mentioned the initiative will construct on current uncrewed programs programmes throughout the armed forces, with an emphasis on growing long-range, low-cost, and mass-produced one-way assault drones.
Pollard said that the Ministry is “working with the Entrance-Line Instructions and throughout the ecosystem to construct on current uncrewed programs supply,” including that the competitions will intention to “quickly iterate novel capabilities, study classes from Ukraine, assist the federal government’s progress agenda and develop the UK know-how sector.”
The Defence Industrial Technique, revealed in September, recognized uncrewed and autonomous programs as a key precedence for funding. The brand new competitions will assess designs primarily based on vary, payload, measurement, and survivability, tailor-made to the wants of various companies.
“There’s a vast spectrum of uncrewed programs necessities from throughout Defence,” Pollard mentioned. “Some are complementary while others are bespoke to every service.”
The initiative displays the rising significance of drones and autonomous programs in fashionable warfare, with classes from the Ukraine battle driving the UK’s push to develop extra inexpensive and adaptable strike and reconnaissance platforms.