Defence Secretary cites garden pond trial as barrier to drone testing
A Royal Marine tested an underwater military drone in his garden pond because regulatory barriers made it too difficult to trial it elsewhere, Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told peers. He said the case showed how rules can slow defence innovation, and pledged to remove unnecessary hurdles so new technology can be developed and brought into service more quickly.
Streeting said defence testing needs oversight because it involves lethal capabilities, but argued that some rules may be poorly balanced or serve no useful purpose. He told the House of Lords Industry and Regulators Committee that armed forces and industry want to advance new technology, and said the Government was keen to act where regulation gets in the way. He also announced a defence investment summit for 1 December.
- A Royal Marine tested an underwater drone in his garden pond.
- Streeting said defence testing rules need to be reviewed.
- A defence investment summit is planned for 1 December.
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The Ministry of Defence works with the armed forces and companies to develop and test equipment, including drones that operate underwater. Before such equipment can be used, trials need to show that it works safely and reliably.
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting told a House of Lords committee that a Royal Marine had tested an underwater drone in his garden pond because rules made it difficult to find another place to trial it. He said defence testing needs oversight, particularly when equipment could be lethal, but that some requirements may add delay without a clear benefit.
The issue matters because testing rules can affect how quickly new military technology is developed and brought into service. The Government says it wants to remove unnecessary barriers while keeping appropriate safeguards.
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
Defence technology can lose practical value if testing is so slow or difficult that promising systems cannot be properly assessed and improved. Where rules add little to safety or accountability, simplifying them could help the armed forces and industry respond more quickly to emerging threats while preserving necessary oversight.
The case against
Testing military systems, especially those with lethal capabilities, requires safeguards to protect people, property and the public interest. Rules that seem burdensome may ensure trials are conducted in suitable settings and risks are properly assessed; changing them too quickly could create dangers or weaken accountability for the sake of speed.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Red tape forced Royal Marine to test underwater drone in his own garden pond, Defence Secretary reveals”.