The European Commission is proposing a strategy to strengthen protection against drone-enabled threats. The adopted action plan предусматривает the development of counter-drone systems, the protection of critical infrastructure and the European Union’s borders, and—at the same time—the expansion of drone technologies and manufacturing capacity within member states. The initiative responds to a growing number of incidents and to the increasingly important role unmanned technologies play in modern armed conflicts.
On 11 February, the European Commission presented a plan to counter rising security threats across the EU posed by drones, i.e., unmanned aerial vehicles. The plan calls for closer cooperation and greater solidarity within the Union and paves the way for a unified EU approach to drone-related risks. It focuses on the civilian dimension of internal security while complementing defence measures already under way.
“This action plan is as necessary as oxygen. We can see how Russia attacks. Today, wars are fought to a large extent with drones in order to spare soldiers, so both protection and attack are conducted largely in this way. The plan covers the protection of the borders of all 27 EU countries—especially the eastern flank, because that is where the greatest threat lies. That is why protection and an anti-drone shield are absolutely essential,” Dariusz Joński, a Member of the European Parliament from Poland’s Civic Coalition, told the Newseria news agency.
In recent years, EU countries have recorded a series of drone-related incidents, including hostile flyovers, violations of airspace, disruptions at airports, and threats to critical infrastructure, external borders, and public spaces.
In the document, the European Commission stresses the need to increase Europe’s preparedness and resilience to drone incidents. This is to be supported by a new approach to technological development and the rapid scaling of production, as well as by strengthening testing capabilities for unmanned aerial vehicles—an area that would be overseen by a new EU Centre of Excellence. The Commission also wants to expand the use of 5G technologies and networks to improve drone detection.
To protect critical infrastructure, the Commission plans to issue clear guidelines for operators and launch a pilot project aimed at enhancing maritime surveillance. It also intends to help member states defend against high-altitude threats, such as meteorological balloons launched from outside the European Union.
“Drones can help secure critical infrastructure. If we calculate the cost of missiles—which used to be the method of protection—then defending yourself with drones is much cheaper. Monitoring and the use of AI and 5G, which are also mentioned in this document, can serve as a complementary programme to protect power plants in Poland, but also other locations that should be under special protection,” Joński assesses. “The war in Ukraine has shown that a well-equipped drone costing tens of thousands of złoty can destroy a tank worth several to tens of millions.”
The European Commission also proposes introducing an “EU Trusted Drone” label to help identify secure equipment on the market.
“In these turbulent times, and with attempts by other countries to shape reality, Europe must have its own systems. A good example is navigation—there is the American GPS, but there is also a European navigation system which, by the way, is even more accurate. Likewise, military systems, drone systems, and technological solutions should be made in Europe,” the Civic Coalition MEP emphasizes. “We are not yet able to do everything, but I am convinced that Europe can become the engine of rapid development in military technologies that did not exist until now.”
The development of drone technologies is directly linked to the experience of contemporary armed conflicts, in which unmanned systems are playing an ever greater operational role. The European Commission underlines that the drone-security action plan is intended to strengthen cooperation among member states and increase the share of European industry in the production of unmanned and counter-drone systems. The document also foresees the development of common technological standards and mechanisms for assessing supply-chain risk.
“At the moment we have several hundred factories producing drones in Ukraine and Poland. The most modern and advanced technologies, which effectively entered widespread use during the war in Ukraine, are now being tested within drone systems. A few years ago, no one appreciated this,” says Joński. “The Polish armed forces have invested heavily in this area and created drone troops. This is a dedicated unit that uses drones to protect our skies.”
As Poland’s Ministry of State Assets points out, one of the key projects is SAN, described as the largest integrated counter-drone system in Europe. In parallel, reconnaissance systems are being developed. Following a reform of the WIZJER programme, the first Polish-made PGZ observation drones were delivered to the Polish Armed Forces.
