Britain is looking for ways to counter drones on fiber-optic cables — Defence Blog

The United Kingdom has begun searching for technologies to detect and destroy fiber-optic-controlled drones that are immune to traditional electronic warfare measures.

This was reported by Defence Blog.

The initiative was launched by UK Defence Innovation with the support of the British Ministry of Defence. Manufacturers have been urged to submit their solutions by April 21, 2026.

Experts note that such drones pose a serious threat because they are controlled via a cable rather than a radio signal. As a result, they cannot be jammed or intercepted using standard electronic warfare methods.

Additionally, these drones are difficult to detect because they do not emit characteristic radio frequency signals, and the cable itself is nearly invisible.

Analysts emphasize that the technology is being actively used in the war against Ukraine, where the occupiers employ such drones for attacks in areas with strong electronic warfare capabilities.

At the same time, the main limitation remains the length of the cable that the drone can carry, which affects its operational range.

In the UK, plans are underway to find solutions for both detecting such drones and neutralizing them.

During a visit to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Bahrain, UK Defense Minister John Healey announced a large-scale deployment of military personnel and equipment in the region.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer officially ruled out the possibility of sending British ground troops to Iran, emphasizing that the country will not allow itself to be drawn into a major war.