Ukraine teaches Britain to tackle drone crisis in prisons
Ukraine is providing vital insights to the UK on counter-drone measures as the country faces a significant crisis involving drones in its prisons, reports BritPanorama.
Deputy Prime Minister and Justice Secretary David Lammy recently visited Ukraine to observe advanced anti-drone strategies developed during the ongoing conflict with Russia. Amidst a barrage of automated devices deployed by the Kremlin, Ukraine’s military has gained expertise in utilizing drones both for offensive operations and for safeguarding citizens against lethal strikes.
In the UK, prisons are confronting similar threats, as drones increasingly facilitate the smuggling of drugs and weapons into correctional facilities. A recent analysis highlighted substantial failures in managing these technologies, leaving prison environments vulnerable to criminal activities.
The number of drone-related incidents in English and Welsh prisons soared to at least 1,712 from April 2024 to March 2025. Notably, the rise in these incidents reflects a staggering 770% increase from 2019 to 2023, driven largely by organized crime groups exploiting drones to introduce contraband and escalate violence behind bars.
In response, the UK government is implementing a new security initiative that incorporates lessons from Ukraine, particularly those honed through real-world conflict against Russian drone attacks. This drive aligns with a broader commitment of £350 million to bolster Ukraine’s drone capabilities, reinforcing their drone fleet from a baseline objective of 10,000 units in 2024 to an ambitious target of 100,000 by the end of December 2025.
Lammy’s visit coincided with the first anniversary of the UK’s 100-Year Partnership with Ukraine, marked by a meeting with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Deputy Defence Minister Yurii Myronenko at an international conference in Kyiv.
Additionally, UK Research and Innovation has unveiled an extra £6.5 million allocation aimed at accelerating research and development in anti-drone technologies. New tools are being designed to assist prison staff in detecting and neutralizing drones effectively.
Lammy stated, “Ukraine’s uniquely advanced and battle-tested anti-drone technology will help us tackle the challenges we face at home. I’ve tasked British prisons with learning from Ukraine’s drone expertise. We know prison drones pose a direct threat to national security, and that’s why we’re acting decisively to tackle these gangs by investing millions in security and cutting-edge technology. This is yet another prime example of how our work abroad is benefitting people at home.”
A competition has been initiated for tech businesses from both nations to propose solutions to these pressing challenges. HM Chief Inspector of Prisons Charlie Taylor has indicated that the accuracy of drones utilized by criminal gangs poses an imminent risk, allowing them to deliver contraband directly to designated prison windows.
Experts caution that if the prison system fails to adequately address these threats, the potential exists for a prisoner to escape via drone in the foreseeable future. Gangs are reportedly using technology such as the app What3words to identify precise drop-off locations and disguise packages as innocuous items like grass cuttings in neglected sections of prison grounds.
The UK’s approach to addressing this burgeoning crisis involves leveraging international expertise while innovatively augmenting its own counter-drone capabilities.
The ongoing collaboration between the UK and Ukraine to combat the technological advances of organized crime encompasses a crucial intersection of security, technology, and international partnership.
