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Unmanned Air Systems

Asked by Luke AkehurstLabourMinistry of DefenceTabled Answered 17 June 2026UIN 8908

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether his Department has assessed the potential effectiveness of using acoustic and ultrasound technology to detect drones.

Answered by Luke Pollard

Within the UK, there is now a thriving drones and autonomous systems ecosystem which enables spiral development, flexibility and modularity. The Department continually considers and develops improvements to the Integrated Air and Missile Defence systems and we recognise the effectiveness of acoustic drone detection in current conflicts.

Work to deliver Strategic Defence Review’s recommendations, including on Integrated Air and Missile Defence, drones and electromagnetic warfare will be set out in the forthcoming Defence Investment Plan.

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