Review of the regulatory system governing uncrewed and autonomous systems in defence
Published 20 February 2026
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This publication is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/calls-for-evidence/review-of-mod-legislation-governing-autonomous-systems/review-of-the-regulatory-system-governing-uncrewed-and-autonomous-systems-in-defence
1. Introduction
The Defence Industrial Strategy recognised that the regulatory environment in Defence must be updated to be fit for the current era of threat; one that is as permissive and simple as possible to enable fast delivery, scale up and innovation.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has committed to review the regulatory environment in Defence, recognising both the imperative of safety and the complexity created by ever-changing technology and the overlap between civilian and military regulation. The first ‘sprint’ is focusing on regulations governing uncrewed and autonomous systems.
MOD is opening a call for evidence, inviting stakeholders from the defence sector and adjacent industries to submit inputs and examples that could inform the review.
MOD invites responses to this call for evidence by 13 March 2026.
2. Scope
This review primarily focuses on the safety-related and operational regulations that apply across the key stages involved in bringing uncrewed and autonomous systems into service. These include development, testing, manufacture, integration and deployment.
The review will not consider commercial and procurement processes and regulations, which are the subject of ongoing reviews.
In order to create as comprehensive an evidence base as possible, we welcome evidence pertaining to any other examples of process, policy or regulation that add time and/or cost.
This call for evidence is specific to the first ‘sprint’ focusing on uncrewed and autonomous systems. Autonomous systems are platforms or capabilities that can sense, decide, and act with some degree of independent decision making. This sprint will also consider counter-uncrewed systems and counter-autonomy technologies.
The MOD, working with partners across Government, will be proactively engaging stakeholders with targeted questions alongside this call for evidence. Submissions to the Regulatory Innovation Office’s Front Door Pilot, which seeks specific examples of problems encountered with the regulatory system, will form part of the same evidence base.
This call for evidence invites stakeholders to submit general responses highlighting key concerns and their business impact.
3. Defence Industrial Strategy Background
The Defence Industrial Strategy sets out the path to becoming a leading tech-enabled defence power by 2035, making defence an engine for growth and driving forward the government’s Plan for Change. It sets out the roadmap and actions needed to deliver the national security and economic growth to keep our nation safe and prosperous in a new era of threat.
The DIS lays out our ambition to ensure that the UK is at the leading edge of defence innovation. We recognise that achieving this means doing everything possible to enable Industry to innovate, including enabling through regulation. While defence benefits from substantial regulatory freedoms, it is clear from recurring examples that there is more to do to ensure that the right outcomes can always be reached quickly.
4. Questions
The following questions serve as a guide to ensure that responses are aligned with the aims of the review. We welcome responses on this topic that go beyond the answers to these specific questions:
(a) Do you think that the current regulatory environment governing uncrewed and autonomous systems in defence is fit to enable you to achieve the aims of your organisation, and to enable the UK to achieve the aims of the Defence Industrial Strategy described above? Why do you think this?
(b) Can you give any specific examples of instances when the regulatory system for uncrewed and autonomous systems has created an unreasonable burden in terms of time and/or cost?
(c) Can you give any specific examples of ways in which the regulatory system has constrained your ability to participate or compete in the market for defence and dual-used uncrewed or autonomous systems?
(d) What legislative or practical barriers are obstacles to testing, trialling or deployment of uncrewed and autonomous systems?
(e) What do you consider to be the most necessary changes required to improve outcomes for the regulatory system? Please make these suggestions as specific as possible.
(f) What can be done to enable the Government’s strong commitment to investing in autonomy to be realised faster, more effectively and with more advantage for the UK? What more could HMG do that would help the sector grow?
We invite responses from the full range of defence sector stakeholders.
5. Contact Information
Please submit your responses to SPODISE-DIS@mod.gov.uk by Friday 13 March 2026 at 11:59pm.
Call for Evidence Lead: Defence Industrial Strategy (DIS) Team
For more information on the review and this call for evidence, please contact SPODISE-DIS@mod.gov.uk.
6. Data Protection and Handling
All responses will be handled in accordance with MOD data protection policies.
Full details of MOD’s data protection policy can be found in the MOD privacy notice.
Your input is critical to ensuring that regulation and process are not unnecessarily standing in the way of innovation, scale and growth in the UK. We look forward to your participation.