ROGE drone pilots could face life in prison after the government activated emergency powers to protect US bases.
The campaign bans the use of drones in dozens of locations, including airports and spy bases, for “national security reasons.”
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It comes after a series of unexplained drone sightings at four US Air Force bases – including RAF Lakenheath, Suffolk, and RAF Fairford, Gloss, linked to nuclear weapons.
SAS forces, MI5 spies and specialist anti-drone teams intervened to help catch the perpetrators last month amid fears it was an act of Russian-backed sabotage.
But no one was arrested.
It is unclear whether Defense Ministry police, which are leading the investigation, have recovered any of the drones.
Transportation Secretary Louise Hay imposed exclusion zones on 11 military sites, including three operational airports, a massive ammunition depot and eight bases linked to spy and missile early warning systems on Monday.
A source said that this step allows the Ministry of Defense to use its national security powers to investigate and prosecute perpetrators.
Sabotage on behalf of a foreign power carries a maximum penalty of life imprisonment.
The Civil Aviation Authority said: “The Secretary of State for Transport has decided that it is necessary to introduce restrictions on flight regulations for drones under section 239 of the Air Navigation Order 2016 on grounds of national security.”
Drones are prohibited from flying within two nautical miles of designated bases unless they are above specified altitudes ranging from 2,200 to 3,000 feet.
Sites include the RAF at O'Cahangar, Hants, home to troops from the US Space Force, and the RAF at Menwith Hill, North Yorkshire, which hosts 37 giant radar domes used by CIA spies and the UK's Government Communications Headquarters.
RAF Alconbury, RAF Molesworth in Cambridgeshire and RAF Croughton in Northants all host spies from the US Joint Intelligence Analysis Centre.
The RAF Welford, Berkshire, is said to be home to the second largest conventional munitions depot in Europe.
The RAF base at Lakenheath, Suffolk, is the largest US combat air base in Europe and is scheduled to host nuclear weapons.
RAF Fairford, Glos, is used by B-52 strategic bombers to land, refuel and rearm on missions over Europe.
A MoD spokesman said: “We take threats very seriously and maintain robust procedures at defense sites.”
