Defence Legislation

Laws and policies relating to military operations, defense procurement, armed forces administration, and national security strategy.

The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire) (Emergency) (Revocation) Regulations 2026

Published: Thu 22nd Oct 26

Revoked the emergency flight restrictions in the vicinity of RAF Fairford with immediate effect.


These Regulations revoke the emergency flight restrictions previously imposed at RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire, allowing normal aviation activities to resume.

The Secretary of State for Transport issued this order under the Air Navigation Order 2016 after concluding that the public interest no longer requires the airspace to be restricted.

The measure applies to all aircraft operators who were previously prohibited from entering the specified zone under S.I. 2026/1061.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Helicopter Flight) (No. 7) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 20th Oct 26

Established temporary restricted airspace across various English and Welsh counties on 21 October 2026 to facilitate a specific helicopter flight.


These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below specified altitudes—ranging from 2,500 to 4,000 feet above mean sea level—within designated areas across southern England and parts of Wales on 21 October 2026.

The restrictions apply in ten time-bound phases to accommodate a specific helicopter flight, covering regions including Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, and several Welsh counties.

The rules apply to all civilian aircraft except those operated by emergency services, the King's Helicopter Flight, or those flying with explicit permission from designated air traffic control units.

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The Armed Forces (Service Complaints Miscellaneous Provisions) (Amendment) Regulations 2026

Published: Fri 9th Oct 26 Comes into force: Tue 3rd Nov 26

Updated the procedural rules and terminology for military service complaints and restricted certain appeal-related decisions from the grievance process.


These Regulations amend the legal framework for military grievances by updating the 2015 Regulations governing service complaints.

They replace the specific role of 'appropriate officer' with the broader designation of 'appropriate person' and expand the list of excluded complaints to include decisions on whether an appeal meets valid grounds.

The instrument applies to all branches of the UK Armed Forces and mandates specific notification procedures when allegations are referred to the Armed Forces Commissioner.

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The Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025 (Commencement No. 2) Regulations 2026

Activated new service complaint procedures and technical terminology changes within the Armed Forces on 3 November 2026.


These Regulations bring specific provisions of the Armed Forces Commissioner Act 2025 into legal force on 3 November 2026.

The instrument activates Section 3 and the remaining parts of Schedule 2 of the Act, which collectively update the procedural framework for service complaints within the military.

The changes apply to the Ministry of Defence and service personnel, specifically altering the designations of individuals authorized to handle formal grievances.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (RAF Fairford, Gloucestershire) (Emergency) Regulations 2026

Published: Wed 30th Sept 26

Prohibited unauthorized flight below 9,500 feet within a five-nautical-mile radius of RAF Fairford due to an emergency.


These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace around RAF Fairford in Gloucestershire following an unspecified emergency.

The order prohibits all aircraft from flying below Flight Level 95 (approximately 9,500 feet) within a five-nautical-mile radius of the base, unless they are operating under the direction of the Royal Air Force Brize Norton Air Traffic Control Unit.

These rules apply to all civilian and unauthorized military aircraft and took effect immediately at 3:30 p.m. on 30 September 2026.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 22nd Sept 26

Restricted the flying of unmanned aircraft below 1,200 feet near Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria, between 22 and 26 September 2026 for national defence reasons.


These Regulations prohibit unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,200 feet above mean sea level within a specified area around Barrow-in-Furness, Cumbria.

The restriction applies to all unmanned aircraft operators from 22 September 2026 to 26 September 2026, unless they obtain permission from the Ministry of Defence Police or are already subject to existing airspace restrictions for nuclear installations or military prohibited places.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Lossiemouth) Regulations 2026

Published: Tue 22nd Sept 26

Established a temporary restricted airspace around RAF Lossiemouth for flying displays on 1 October 2026.


These Regulations prohibit aircraft from flying below 8,000 feet above mean sea level within a specified 6-nautical-mile radius of Royal Air Force Lossiemouth on 1 October 2026.

The restriction applies between 11:15 and 12:45 Co-ordinated Universal Time to accommodate high-energy manoeuvres during the Royal Air Force Number 1 Group Industry Day.

Pilots may only enter this airspace if they have obtained specific permission from the designated Flying Display Directors or the air traffic control unit at RAF Lossiemouth.

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The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Coningsby) (No. 2) Regulations 2026

Established a temporary no-fly zone below 8,500 feet around RAF Coningsby for a flying display on 26 September 2026.


These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace around Royal Air Force Coningsby to facilitate a flying display.

The order prohibits all aircraft from flying below 8,500 feet within a 6-nautical-mile radius of the station during a specified window on 26 September 2026.

These restrictions apply to all pilots and aircraft operators, except those granted specific permission by the Lincolnshire Terminal Air Traffic Control Centre or the Air Traffic Control units at RAF Coningsby or RAF Waddington.

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