Drone Incidents at UK Bases Show Why Counter-UAS Training Needs to Scale
22, September 2026 – Figures released by the Ministry of Defence under Freedom of Information rules show 340 drone security incidents at UK military bases in the year to August 2026, nearly one a day, up from 250 in 2025 and 126 in 2024.
The government takes the threat from hostile drones "extremely seriously." Airspace has been restricted over 44 critical defence sites since February, a further 160 sites are gaining protection this autumn, and £750 million has been earmarked for counter-drone systems.
Read more at ADS Advance. Cases like this are where simulation using the AVRT system really comes into its own.
AVRT’s Counter-UAS VR Training system lets personnel rehearse drone threat detection, identification and response procedures in realistic, configurable scenarios, without needing live drones, airspace approvals or the exercise setup that live training now competes for. Teams can train together on base and perimeter defence, critical infrastructure protection and active threat response, with after-action review to assess detection times, engagement decisions and communication.
As more sites come under restricted airspace and counter-drone budgets grow, the ability to train frequently and consistently, rather than around a handful of live exercise windows, becomes the harder problem to solve.
How AVRT’s Counter-UAS Training Works
AVRT’s Counter-UAS (CUAS) training capability is built directly on the existing AVRT platform, giving trainees a safe, repeatable, easy-to-assess environment to build the full range of skills the threat demands:
- Identification of drone threats in real time
- Correct procedure and escalation response
- Evasion techniques
- Counter-UAS weapon handling and engagement
Because scenarios run on AVRT’s adaptive, instructor-led engine, training content can be updated and repeated as drone tactics and technology change, keeping personnel current rather than training against yesterday’s threat.
Proven at Scale
AVRT’s Counter-UAS training isn’t a standalone add-on, it’s built on a platform already trusted by military and law enforcement organisations worldwide. The core AVRT system has been developed with feedback from over 5,000 military and law enforcement personnel, and is currently deployed with forces including the Singapore Army. That same platform, and the same cost advantages over traditional training, now extends to Counter-UAS.
The CUAS capability had its first public demonstration at DSET 2026, the UK’s leading defence simulation, education and training conference, where it drew strong interest from serving military personnel for its realistic, tactical approach to counter-drone response.
Built for Military and Security Operations
AVRT’s CUAS training sits within the same platform already used across military and law enforcement training, combining real-world weapons, free-roam movement, and instructor-led scenario control. It’s designed to fit into existing curricula and training frameworks rather than requiring a separate system to manage.
See Counter-UAS Training in Action
Drone threats won’t wait for the next training review cycle. Book a live Counter-UAS training demonstration and see how AVRT prepares your teams to identify, evade, and respond to the drone threat, or contact us directly at info@avrt.training to discuss your requirement.