Defence Legislation
Laws and policies relating to military operations, defense procurement, armed forces administration, and national security strategy.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Lippitt’s Hill) (Restricted Area EGR1U082) Regulations 2026
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Lippitt's Hill) (Restricted Area EGR1U082) Regulations 2026 establish a legally mandated restriction on the flight of unmanned aircraft below 1,350 feet above mean sea level within a 0.5 nautical mile radius centred at 513916N 0000103E to ensure the security and public safety related to the National Police Air Service base located there, while permitting operations authorized by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Husbands Bosworth) (Restricted Area EGR2U063) Regulations 2026
These Regulations, made by the Secretary of State on May 12th, 2026, implement restrictions on the flight of unmanned aircraft (drones) below 1,550 feet above mean sea level within a specifically defined geographical area surrounding the National Police Air Service base at Husbands Bosworth due to security and public safety concerns, while explicitly excluding aircraft operated by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service; simultaneously, these Regulations revoke the previous 2025 restrictions concerning the same location.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Gatcombe Park) (Restricted Area EGR1U083) Regulations 2026
These Regulations establish a temporary restricted airspace zone, designated EGR1U083, around Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, prohibiting unmanned aircraft from flying below 1,700 feet above mean sea level within specified geographic coordinates due to security considerations related to the presence of Royal Family members; these rules came into force on May 14, 2026, and revoke a previous restriction order, while allowing exemptions for specific emergency services and authorized security personnel.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Carr Gate) (Restricted Area EGR3U053) Regulations 2026
These 2026 Regulations establish a prohibition on operating unmanned aircraft below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a defined circular area centered at 534238N 0013222W, near the National Police Air Service base at Carr Gate, due to necessary security and public safety considerations; the rules exempt aircraft operated by or on behalf of the National Police Air Service or those flying with their explicit permission, and these rules simultaneously revoke the previous 2025 restriction order for the area.
The Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Firth of Forth) Regulations 2026 enforce a temporary prohibition on unmanned aircraft flying below 1,400 feet above mean sea level within a precisely defined area of the Firth of Forth, commencing at 0100 hours UTC on April 19, 2026, and ending at 2300 hours UTC on April 24, 2026, specifically to accommodate the necessary operations of a Royal Navy Aircraft Carrier, with exemptions provided for authorized military, police, fire/rescue, or coastguard activities.
These Regulations revoke the Air Navigation (Restriction of Flying) (Royal Air Force Brize Norton) Regulations 2026, immediately lifting previous temporary flight restrictions imposed over the area surrounding the Royal Air Force Brize Norton base because the Secretary of State no longer deems those restrictions necessary in the public interest.
Part 7 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 focuses on consolidating and expanding various police powers, particularly in areas concerning protests, public order, stop and search, and related procedural matters within the criminal justice system, ultimately aiming to improve operational effectiveness for law enforcement and public safety measures.
These regulations impose a precise, temporary restriction on aircraft flying below Flight Level 85 within a 6-nautical-mile radius centered on the Royal Air Force Brize Norton on 29th May 2026, between 1400 and 1500 hours UTC, specifically to ensure public safety during scheduled flying displays, exempting only essential emergency services and authorized operational air traffic movements.