Do long range two-way radios need a licence in the UK?

Yes. To legally operate high-power, long-range business two way radios in the UK, you must hold a valid Ofcom licence.
Standard, licence-free walkie talkies (known as PMR446) are legally restricted to a tiny 0.5-watt output, which heavily limits their distance.
True long-range models transmit at up to 5 watts or more. Because they are so much more powerful, Ofcom regulates them to manage frequency allocation, ensuring your business gets a secure, private channel free from local cross-talk and static interference.