New drone-only Restricted Airspace for National Security Act (NSA) Prohibited Places, particularly covering certain Ministry of Defence (MoD) sites, comes into effect in the UK on 19 February 2026. 

This regulation is established under Statutory Instrument SI 2026-64 and detailed within the UK AIP – ENR 5.1. 

Key Information Regarding New Restrictions

• Effective Date: 19 February 2026.
• Scope: Specifically targets drone (“unmanned aircraft”) operations in the vicinity of designated MoD sites for national security reasons.
• Reference Document: Consult NOTAM B0203/26 for precise amendments to the UK AIP – ENR 5.1, which outlines the specific locations and boundaries of the prohibited places.
• Offences: Under the National Security Act 2023, causing an unmanned vehicle to “access, enter, inspect, pass over or under, or to approach or be in the vicinity” of a prohibited place is an offence. 

Procedures for Operating Inside Restricted Areas

Operators wishing to fly within these new restricted zones must obtain prior authorization. 

1. Application Process: Submit the CAA Airspace Regulation notification form via the CAA Customer Portal – ACOMS.
2. Exemptions: If approved, exemptions are issued by the National Security Act site authority, not directly by the CAA. 

Note: The National Security Act 2023 also allows for the designation of additional “prohibited places” (including Crown land, defence sites, and, in some cases, private sites) without them necessarily being clearly marked on the ground.