How can Britain turn its existing infrastructure into a stronger defence against drone threats? UDSS Co-Chair General Sir Richard Barrons will address this challenge at the C-UAS Strategy Forum on 27 October 2026 at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), Whitehall, London.
The forum will bring together senior leaders from government, defence, telecommunications, critical national infrastructure and industry to explore how the UK can develop a nationwide counter-drone capability. Its central question is whether sensors already embedded across transport, utilities and communications networks could help create a more comprehensive picture of activity in the UK’s airspace.
General Sir Richard will deliver the opening keynote, “The Strategic Mandate: Dual-Use Technology and Britain’s Airspace Security Imperative”, setting the strategic context for the day’s discussions. The session will explore the changing security challenge, lessons from Ukraine and the collaboration needed to translate innovation into operational capability.
Connecting technology, infrastructure and decision-making
The forum’s focus raises an important question for both government and business: how can existing assets contribute to collective security while continuing to fulfil their everyday purpose?
Effective airspace awareness requires more than sensors. Organisations need to understand how information will be shared, who will assess it and how decisions will translate into a coordinated response. For infrastructure owners and business leaders, this connects counter-drone capability directly to wider questions of operational resilience, preparedness and continuity.
The programme will examine how separate data sources could contribute to a shared air picture, the role of AI alongside human judgement, and the partnerships, investment and supply chains required to move from ambition to deployment.
A practical priority for government and industry
For UDSS, these discussions align closely with our work helping governments and businesses understand security challenges and strengthen their ability to respond.
Drawing on expertise across defence and security, UDSS provides strategic advice, risk analysis and resilience support, helping organisations connect their security priorities with practical business and operational requirements. Our work spans defence modernisation, physical and digital security, supply chain resilience and senior leadership development.
Richard’s participation brings UDSS’s strategic perspective to a discussion with implications across the defence, technology and infrastructure sectors. Turning promising technology into dependable capability requires a shared understanding of the problem, clear responsibilities and organisations prepared to work together.
Find out more
The C-UAS Strategy Forum takes place on Tuesday 27 October 2026 at RUSI, 61 Whitehall, London. Attendance is primarily by invitation, with prospective delegates able to register their interest, subject to approval. Discussions will take place under the Chatham House Rule.
View the programme and register your interest.
To discuss how UDSS can support your organisation’s security, preparedness and resilience, contact info@universal-defence.com or visit universal-defence.com.