The UK government has committed nearly £50 million to accelerate the deployment of drones and advanced air mobility systems, while introducing new measures to identify and deter illegal drone activity.
The Department for Transport announced the £46.5 million package on Tuesday, setting out funding for a national drone identification system alongside plans to reform regulation. More than £20.5 million is being allocated to develop what ministers describe as a “numberplate system for the skies”, designed to enable law enforcement to identify drones in real time and access historical flight data.
Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonization minister Keir Mather said the initiative is intended to balance innovation with oversight. “We’re backing the next generation of British aviation innovators with nearly £50 million to drive drone regulation reforms, and unlock barriers to growth that will create jobs, lower emissions, and further the UK’s world-leading aviation reputation,” he said.
“Innovation must go hand in hand with strong security – that’s why over half of our investment will develop a new ID system to track drones in real-time, supporting emergency services and building public confidence in an industry that could be worth up to £103 billion by 2050.”
The proposed system is based on Hybrid Remote ID technology, which broadcasts a drone’s identity and location during flight to nearby receivers, while also sharing data through a secure online platform accessible to authorised users.
According to security mnister Dan Jarvis, the aim is to close a gap in current enforcement capabilities. “This funding will create a numberplate system for the skies,” he said. “Law enforcement will be able to identify and take action against those who break the law, taking drones out of the sky, and protecting the public.”
Alongside the enforcement push, £26.5 million is set aside to overhaul how drones are approved and used, with the aim of making routine operations less of a bureaucratic grind. The DfT said that means quicker sign-offs for emergency response, medical deliveries, and infrastructure checks, as well as laying the groundwork for electric flying taxis expected to enter service from 2028.
The Civil Aviation Authority will deliver much of the programme, including the development of digital systems intended to simplify operator applications and improve the predictability of approvals.
Sophie O’Sullivan, director of Future Safety and Innovation at the regulator, said: “Our work going on right now is laying the foundations for commercial operation in the future, unlocking routine drone deliveries, long-range inspections, and hospital logistics. This vital funding supports the next generation of aerospace, strengthening safety and bringing economic growth for the UK.”
The government estimates that drones and advanced air mobility could contribute up to £103 billion to the UK economy over the next 25 years, with the latest funding positioned as part of a broader effort to support aviation innovation, modernise airspace, and strengthen the UK’s position in emerging aerospace technologies.
