British prisons are set to adopt battlefield strategies from Ukraine in a major crackdown on drones smuggling drugs and weapons into jails. Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy has issued the directive following a visit to Ukraine, where he observed counter-drone measures used against Russian forces.
Warzone Tactics for Prison Security
David Lammy travelled to Ukraine to mark a century-long security partnership between the two nations. During the trip, he studied how military anti-drone expertise could be adapted for the UK's escalating prison security crisis. "I've tasked British prisons with learning from Ukraine's drone expertise," Mr Lammy stated. He emphasised that drone deliveries pose a direct threat to national security, requiring decisive action against criminal gangs.
The government is backing this initiative with significant investment. Ministers have secured £6.5 million from UK Research and Innovation to accelerate drone detection research, adding to a previously announced package of £40 million. This funding will be channelled into cutting-edge technology to help prison staff detect and disable unmanned aircraft.
A Soaring Threat: The Drone Epidemic
The scale of the problem is staggering. Official figures reveal there were 1,712 drone incidents at prisons across England and Wales between April 2024 and March 2025. This marks a sharp 43% increase on the previous twelve months and represents a new record high. The long-term trend is even more alarming, with incidents soaring by 1140% since 2021.
In a stark demonstration of the issue, Sky News documented drones delivering packages of drugs into HMP Wandsworth, a Category B men's prison in south London, last autumn. Security experts have warned that the threat could evolve further, with larger agricultural drones capable of lifting up to 80kg potentially being used in future escape attempts.
A Reciprocal Security Partnership
The knowledge exchange forms part of a deepening bilateral relationship. The UK provided £350 million in 2025 to support Ukraine's drone supply programme, aiming to boost its fleet from a target of 10,000 in 2024 to 100,000 by the end of last December. The collaboration now sees Ukraine's hard-won experience in electronic warfare and drone defence being leveraged to fortify British prison perimeters.
The government's strategy is clear: combine financial investment in new technology with proven tactical knowledge from a contemporary conflict zone. The objective is to stay ahead of organised crime groups who are increasingly using sophisticated drones to breach prison security, endangering staff, inmates, and the public.
