The European Commission proposes a strategy to strengthen drone protection. The adopted action plan includes the improvement of drone systems, the protection of critical infrastructure and the borders of the European Union, but besides the improvement of drone technologies and production in associate States. The initiative is simply a consequence to the increasing scale of incidents and the importance of unmanned technologies in modern armed conflicts.
On 11 February, the European Commission presented a plan to address the increasing safety risks posed by drones, or unmanned aircraft, across the EU. It provides for closer cooperation and greater solidarity in the Union and paves the way for a uniform EU approach to drone threats. It focuses on the civilian dimension of interior safety and at the same time complements the defence efforts already undertaken.
– This action plan is like oxygen. We see how Russia is attacking. present wars are mostly carried out by drones to spare soldiers, so both safety and attack are mostly so conducted. The action plan includes the protection of the borders of the 27 European Union countries, mostly east flank, due to the fact that we have the biggest threat behind it, so this protection and the drone shield are desperately needed “In an interview with Newseria Dariusz Joński, associate of the European Parliament of the Citizens' Coalition.
In fresh years, European Union countries have recorded a number of drone incidents specified as hostile flights, airspace violations, airport disruptions and threats to critical infrastructure, external borders and public spaces.
The European Commission stresses the request to increase Europe's readiness and resilience to drone incidents. This is the aim of a fresh approach to technological improvement and fast growth of production, as well as to increase the ability to test unmanned aircraft, for which the fresh EU centre of excellence is to be responsible. He besides wants to make the usage of 5G technology and networks to better detect drones.
To defend critical infrastructure, The Commission intends to supply clear guidance to operators and launch a pilot task to improve maritime surveillance. It besides wants to aid associate States defend against high-altitude threats specified as weather balloons launched outside the European Union.
– Drones can aid safe critical infrastructure. If we number the cost of rockets due to the fact that it was a previously utilized method of protection, it's much cheaper to defend yourself utilizing drones. Monitoring, the usage of AI and 5G, as mentioned in this document, can be a complementary programme to defend power plants in Poland, but besides places that should be exceptionally protected – assessed Dariusz Joński. –The war in Ukraine showed that a well-equipped drone for respective tens of thousands of zlotys could break a tank that is worth several-several million.
The European Commission is besides proposing the introduction of the EU Trusted Drone to identify safe equipment on the market.
– In these troubled times and in trying to influence the reality of another countries, Europe must have its systems. For example, the navigation strategy is an American GPS, but there is besides a European navigation strategy that is even more accurate. Military, drone, technological solutions should besides be made in Europe – emphasises Euro MP KO. – Not everything we are yet able to do, but I am convinced that Europe can be the engine of the fast improvement of military technologies that have not been there before.
The improvement of drone technology is straight linked to the experience of modern armed conflicts in which unmanned systems play an increasingly crucial operational role. The European Commission underlines that the drone safety action plan is intended to strengthen associate States' cooperation and to increase the participation of European manufacture in the production of unmanned and drone systems. The paper foresees the improvement of common technological standards and mechanisms for assessing supply chain risks.
– At the minute we have respective 100 factories that produce drones in Ukraine and Poland. These state-of-the-art, most advanced technologies that have de facto entered into usage during the war in Ukraine are presently being tested in drone systems. No 1 appreciated that a fewer years ago. – says Dariusz Joński. – Polish armed forces have invested heavy in this area and have formed drone troops. This is simply a peculiar unit that uses drones to defender our sky.
As the Ministry of State Activities points out, 1 of the key projects is the SAN, identified as the largest integrated drone strategy in Europe. In parallel, exploratory systems are developed. Following the improvement of the WIZJER program, the first unmanned reflection drones of production of PGZ were delivered to the Armed Forces of Poland.
