New signage at RAF and naval bases has sparked debate online about so-called “prohibited places,” part of the UK’s National Security Act now being rolled out.
A new Geeksvana video explains how the legislation is changing the rules for drone operators near military and defence industrial sites, and why the implications extend well beyond traditional flight restriction zones.
In the video, Sean from Geeksvana stresses that this is no longer a matter of consultation. “This is very much here and now,” he explains, outlining how the Act allows government, military, and even approved private facilities to be legally designated as prohibited places.
That means drone pilots may face prosecution if they fly into the new zones or even if they are seen filming from outside them. “You could be outside of the prohibited place, inspecting it, so perhaps filming in the case of a drone, and actually still fall foul of the legislation,” Sean warns.
Prohibited sites will soon begin appearing on mapping apps such as Drone Assist, although not always as the familiar red circles used for airports or temporary restrictions. Instead, users should expect “unusual shapes on the map” marking the new zones.
Enforcement will also be strengthened by using Article 239 of the Air Navigation Order, which governs drone restrictions at events or protests. According to Sean, this will make enforcement “very, very simple, but it also makes it essential that we all do check the restrictions we see on apps and maps.”
For the defence sector, this underscores how the UK is hardening the ‘security perimeter’ around sensitive sites, with police and authorities empowered to act more aggressively where drones are concerned.
The message is clear: drone pilots should take the new signs seriously. As Sean concludes, “These zones will be enforced aggressively in most instances, similar to airports. So we need to at the very least take notice of these new signs.”
👉 Watch the full Geeksvana breakdown here for detailed guidance.
Good move. There used to be more restrictive procedures in place for overflights of military establishments.
Totally agree I’ve seen people on YouTube flying over military bases and always thought that’s not a good idea I know there isn’t much to see but just seems a bit crazy to be able to let anyone fly drones over military bases
They are only jealous that we have got loads and the MOD have bugger all !
A sign of the times. The UK needs to get this sort of thing under control. The world is not such a friendly place anymore.
It seems only a matter of time before there will be the ability to simply fry any drones in a prohibited place.
Potentially there might well be a method, in due course, tp gain permission and to have any footage approved.
Protect the hotels,migrants are here to live not to be filmed .and take that horrible flag down this is britain.🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧
The only way to effectively protect military sites is through the use of countermeasures, and these can be a mixture of devices. Electronic jamming, anti-drone guns, either mounted or handheld and good old wire strung on poles. I fear we are approaching a period in our history when military and key civilian sites could see attacks from several sources using drones.
Good, now make it an offence to fly over private land except for defence/police intel gathering. These bloody things are a total nuisance to landowners. Preferably make the jerks who fly them stick to designated areas, make them pay an annual license fee and have compulsory insurance.
Ah, and give landowners the legal right to “down” them.
Waiting for triggered comments…..
One issue.
How to protect sensitive sites that are NOT publicly acknowledged from Drones.
If they’re not acknowledged, they will be unlikely to have such warning signs outside.
One might fly ones Drone with intent, knowing the site is there, then claim ignorance after.
“Sorry Guv, but how was I to know this place I thought looked interesting was secret?”
Yet some will be aware of their existence, including hostile states intelligence services.
Overall, in full agreement. There are some real muppets on YouTube, including supposed “Site Auditors” who turn up at places they shouldn’t be at and which should not be on YouTube.
One individual, who also uses Drones, drove into one location deliberately then cried foul when MoDPlod rightly blocked his path. Amusingly, he thought he’d got into the most sensitive areas of the site, when any cursory glance at Google Earth showed clearly that he hadn’t.
He still blamed the MoD Police for doing their jobs.
His acolytes didn’t like it when I posted such on the comments.
He also flew a Drone at the site, and the view and footage I thoroughly enjoyed. This should prevent that at that site at least, as it is acknowledged and known.
Have I fallen through a time machine? Wasn’t this law passed in 2023?
This only works on commercial drones and law abiding citizens… If you’re a Foreign Agent, you’ll be using something likely custom built to have no barriers to flight, short of an external Jamming or Countermeasure employed by these sites.
Of course, this will also affect Google Street Views and overhead imagery. How far does this go afterwards, how broad is it and what kind of dispensation is there for the Teenager that likes tanks or Planes and has a Camera.