Government invests millions into drones for public services

The government has invested almost £50 million to streamline and regulate drone technology, with a significant portion of the funding dedicated to facilitating the use of drones in public services.

The £46.5 million investment is to be delivered through the Civil Aviation Authority, and will be partially dedicated to accelerating approvals for drone operations for emergency responses, medical logistics and infrastructure inspection.

It will also go towards the creation of a drone identification system to help law enforcement crack down on so-called ‘faceless’ drones often used in illegal activity, alongside further development of the regulatory, digital and security standards needed to bring advanced aviation technology into more routine use.

Keir Mather, Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, said that the funding would "create jobs, lower emissions and further the UK’s world-leading aviation reputation”.

He added: “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 ‘Hybrid Remote ID’ system works by sending out the ID number and location of a drone mid-flight, allowing nearby devices to track it and authorised personnel to view it through a secure online system.

Dan Jarvis, Security Minister, 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.”

The announcement comes as part of the government’s plan to expand the UK’s reputation as an aviation superpower. It follows the investment of £2.3 billion in the development of green aircraft and of £63 million to support sustainable aviation fuel.

The regulation developed is intended to support growth, with the government aiming to create a better experience for drone operators while also upholding high safety standards.