The UK government has set itself the ambition of becoming the fastest growing economy in the G7. Central to this mission is the industrial strategy – a ten-year plan to increase business investment in industries and technologies of the future. While drone technology and supporting drone infrastructure, including counter unmanned aircraft systems (CUAS), will inevitably form a part of these frontier industries, the sector is poorly understood among policymakers and government officials.  The regulatory challenges facing the drones sector  and how removing these barriers can drive innovation, boost productivity and create jobs, are not completely understood by politicians and policymakers. The untapped potential of unmanned aircraft systems can only be realised with full political buy-in. If businesses are supported by a permissive policy and regulatory environment that can keep pace with rapid technological advances, then end-users will have the confidence to adopt and innovate. Our mission statement is clear:

The UK Drones Alliance exists to tackle the barriers to the economic growth potential of drone technology. We can achieve this by educating policymakers, understanding political and regulatory priorities, and changing perspectives to improve lives and industries for all.

We have four central objectives:

1. To understand regulation, policy and political priorities: we monitor and analyse the full spectrum of regulatory and political activity affecting the UK drones ecosystem.
2. To remove barriers to growth: we identify and challenge the regulatory, commercial, and operational hurdles that restrict innovation and adoption.
3. To identify opportunities to realise ambition: we identify when regulatory and policy changes create new opportunities for growth and ambition in the sector.
4. To change perspectives, enable the sector and improve lives: we champion the positive economic, social and environmental impact of drones to build understanding, trust and buy-in across the UK government and Westminster.

There is a significant political desire to support innovation in the economy to drive growth. Drones technology and capabilities fundamental to this journey, and it is time to realise their full potential.