The British Army has announced it will fund a pioneering 'drone degree' programme designed to train both military personnel and civilian students in the rapidly evolving field of unmanned aerial vehicle technology. This initiative comes as drone warfare continues to play a decisive role in conflicts such as the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Substantial Investment and Course Structure
Supported by a significant £240,000 investment from the Ministry of Defence, the undergraduate course represents a strategic move to bolster Britain's expertise in drone systems. Each year, the programme will train 15 civilian students alongside up to five soldiers, providing comprehensive instruction in the design, construction, and rigorous testing of advanced drone technologies.
Location and Timeline
The new course will be delivered at the New Model Institute for Technology and Engineering in Hereford, with teaching scheduled to commence from September 2026. The curriculum has been specifically devised in response to the surging tactical use of drones observed in contemporary warfare, where these systems are deployed for surveillance and as precision weapons.
The Ukrainian Context and Drone Warfare Evolution
The development of this degree programme is set against a backdrop of intense drone utilisation in the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly launched massive waves of drones and missiles targeting Ukrainian civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.
In response, Ukraine has engineered sophisticated AI-enabled drones capable of locking onto Russian targets from extended ranges while demonstrating enhanced resilience against electronic countermeasures. Deputy Defence Minister Kateryna Chernohorenko previously revealed that Kyiv is developing an autonomous system designed to independently identify, track, and engage distant targets.
Britain's Technological Contributions
Britain has positioned itself at the forefront of innovative drone technology development. Earlier this month, Defence Secretary John Healey announced that production would begin on a new type of drone for Ukraine named the Octopus. This specialised drone is engineered to intercept other unmanned craft used by Russia to attack civilian targets.
The United Kingdom aims to manufacture thousands of these Octopus drones monthly, with each unit costing approximately just 10% of the drones they are designed to neutralise. This represents a cost-effective approach to modern aerial defence systems.
Strategic Importance and Official Statements
Minister for the Armed Forces, Al Carns, emphasised the critical nature of drone technology in contemporary combat scenarios. 'In Ukraine, drones are causing more casualties than artillery - that's the reality of modern warfare,' he stated.
Carns further elaborated on the programme's broader objectives: 'This degree gives young engineers a fast track to careers at the cutting edge, protecting Britain and powering growth in places like Hereford. These graduates will strengthen our Armed Forces and help push forward advances in civilian and commercial drone technology, developing homegrown talent, building British capabilities, from battlefield to business.'
This educational initiative represents a significant investment in domestic technological expertise, aiming to create a pipeline of skilled professionals who can contribute to both national security and commercial innovation in the burgeoning drone sector.
