Graeme Forsyth, Counter‑UAS Product Manager at SPX Communication Technologies, warns that the dramatic rise in drone incursions means robust detection and neutralisation systems are no longer optional but essential.

Increasing drone threats

In recent years, the drone threat has increased significantly across civilian and critical infrastructure domains, with drones and uncrewed air systems (UAS) deployed for sabotage, espionage and broad disruption.

Drones are operated in increasingly audacious ways, whether it’s hostile surveillance of critical national infrastructure, where billions of pounds worth of services are at risk, interference with air traffic or malicious intent at mass gatherings.

It’s an ongoing and growing threat, one that has extended from its use in international battlefields and demands a coordinated response from governments, airports, energy providers and public safety authorities.

Monitoring the rising threat

A series of incidents, both domestic and abroad, have demonstrated that drones are no longer just a threat in live battle.

Since the start of the year, the UK has seen an increase in drone sightings.

A torrent of these over RAF bases in East Anglia and other sensitive sites has raised serious concerns over national defence vulnerabilities and the need for robust Counter-UAS deployments at strategic locations.

Similarly, Twickenham Stadium saw a drone fly over the pitch during a Six Nations match carrying a Palestine flag.

This breach underscored the potential for drones to deliver messages, cause panic or worse, in crowded public spaces and at mass gatherings.

2025 data showed that there were 1,712 drone incidents between April 2024 and March 2025 at prisons across England and Wales; an increase of 43% compared to the previous 12 months.

It was reported that technology allows drone pilots to operate aircraft from abroad, making it difficult for authorities to track them down or make arrests.

Other incidents across Europe reveal both the scale and diversity of the threat.

For instance, in Bulgaria, air travel was disrupted with flight suspended at Sofia International Airport after a drone flew into restricted airspace.

In response, the country’s Deputy Prime Minister called for all its international airports to be equipped with Counter-UAS technology.

In Finland and other northern European countries, a surge in drone sightings near critical infrastructure has been reported, including energy sites and ports.

While most incidents are verified, some activity remains unexplained, raising concern over espionage or foreign interference.

Technology countermeasure

As UAS threats evolve and increase in mobility, speed and range, nations need access to the latest technology to counter them.

Mitigating the dangers posed by UAS is critical for an ever-widening range of domestic and international security forces.

There’s an unprecedented call for jamming and counter-UAS equipment across the security and defence sectors, and in particular, surging demand for radio frequency (RF) inhibitors.

In fact, we’ve seen an 80% increase in enquiries from across Europe as nations seek to strengthen their defences.

Counter-UAS solution helps detect, locate, track and defeat threats, enabling precise neutralisation with flexible deployment options.

A key example of this technology is our proven BLACKTALON solution.

However, not all the latest technologies are created equal and authorities face difficult decisions when it comes to sourcing reliable and effective solutions for different scenarios.

The same core technology and regulatory standards apply whether protecting a military air base, a nuclear facility, or the centre of London.

Yet with new technologies flooding the market, buyers face a confusing mix of capabilities and claims.

The dilemma remains: Invest in proven systems or trial, often cheaper, emerging tech under pressure.

In the latter’s case, authorities are often forced to return to the market again when technology fails to deliver.

A moment of change

In addition to a technological shift, a series of legislative changes have been introduced to address the modern-day threat.

Several European nations are updating their laws to allow for a more agile and coordinated response.

For instance, Poland is amending its national Aviation Law Act to allow a broader range of official services, including police, military and border guards, to “shoot at a drone (or immobilise it using digital methods) when it threatens or may threaten the life or health of people or animals.”

In February, following a spike in UAS-related incidents along the Romanian borders, the country passed new laws empowering its army to shoot down drones that illegally breach its airspace, particularly those posing a threat to national security or human life.

Laws help create a framework that highlights RF jamming as a verified, common countermeasure – which in turn helps demystify some of the perceptions around jamming.

With hundreds of sites potentially at risk, nations across Europe and internationally need decentralised capabilities that can respond quickly, safely and within legal frameworks, which is driving change.

The role of RF detection and jamming

Directional jamming is now possible at far greater distances – from 200 metres to over 10 kilometres.

Beyond range, countermeasures must also adapt to faster, more mobile devices and an ever-growing mix of frequencies.

Longer-range systems, high spectral purity, directional beams and agile responses to changing protocols are essential for defeating today’s UAS threats.

For instance, BLACKTALON effectively jams every combination of GNSS, command, control and telemetry signals used by both commercial and military drones.

This ensures a decisive advantage in countering drone threats while simultaneously safeguarding friendly RF signals from unintended inhibition.

For effective defence, countermeasures also need flexible and mobile mounting options, whether positioned high up for greater line of sight or deployed on the periphery of a site for rapid response.

Looking ahead

Faced with this ever-evolving reality, we are investing in future jamming enhancements to ensure systems remain ahead of the threat.

With many governments and public safety authorities introducing new capabilities, reactivating phased out ones, or looking to upgrade existing defences, RF inhibiting technology is proving to be mission critical.

Reliable RF inhibition is already neutralising threats in the real world.

Proven and adaptable systems, backed by decades of industry expertise, are at the heart of credible Counter-UAS defence and will ultimately provide authorities with the right technology, wherever the front line may be.

This article was originally published in the October edition of Security Journal UK. To read your FREE digital edition, click here.