British defence companies are having to test their drones and uncrewed boats in Spain and Canada because of stringent rules that risk slowing down weapons production in the UK.
Autonomous boats developed in Britain cannot be tested sufficiently in British waters because of “onerous” rules that mean only remote-control vessels are being given the correct approvals, experts in the field have warned.
Health and safety concerns mean that small firms would need a dedicated team of staff to spend up to six months filling out paperwork to secure approval to fly drones in designated ranges in the UK, The Times has been told.
• Race to make drones for Britain in new era of warfare
Defence companies said that the lengthy process required to test their equipment was at odds with the government’s call for the defence industry to speed up procurement amid the rising threat from Russia.
