Nearly £50 million government backing to power up drone and flying taxi tech and crack down on illegal drones

Funding will help develop a numberplate ID system for drones, helping police better protect UK skies and prosecute illegal users.

Drone deliveries, flying taxis and smarter emergency services could be a step closer to use in UK skies, as the government awards almost £50 million to unlock growth in the drone and advanced air mobility sector, today (5 May 2026).

Part of the £46.5 million investment will also see a crackdown on ‘faceless’ drones, which can be used in suspicious or illegal activity, through the first bespoke drone identification system. The measures will make it easier for police to identify illegal or nuisance users and clear the way for legitimate drone operators.

Delivered through the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the funding will also cut red tape and support the regulatory, digital and security foundations needed to bring drones and advanced air mobility – such as electric flying taxis – into more routine use across the UK.

Aviation, Maritime and Decarbonisation Minister, Keir Mather, said:

We’re backing the next generation of British aviation innovators with nearly £50 million to drive drone regulation reforms and unlock barriers to growth that will create jobs, lower emissions and further the UK’s world-leading aviation reputation.

Innovation must go hand in hand with strong security – that’s why over half of our investment will develop a new ID system to track drones in real-time, supporting emergency services and building public confidence in an industry that could be worth up to £103 billion by 2050.