European Commission presented an action plan on 11 February to increase the Union's safety against expanding threats with drones. The paper envisages the improvement of drone systems, better protection of critical infrastructure and EU borders and support for the production of unmanned technologies in associate States.
This is simply a consequence to increasingly frequent incidents involving drones and to the experience of modern armed conflicts in which unmanned aircraft play a key role.
A common approach to fresh threats
The plan is intended to introduce a more uniform approach across the EU. It assumes closer cooperation and greater solidarity between countries. It focuses on civilian security, but it besides complements defensive action.
In fresh years, EU countries have experienced hostile drone flights, airspace violations and airport disruptions. Critical infrastructure, external borders and public space are besides threatened.
According to the Euro MP Dariusz Joński The plan is necessary. He points out that the war in Ukraine showed the importance of drones – both in attack and in defense. In his view, the east flank of the EU needs peculiar protection.
New technologies and the centre of excellence
The Commission wants to increase Europe's readiness for drone incidents. The plan envisages technology improvement and faster production growth in the EU. The EU centre of excellence for investigating unmanned systems is besides expected to be established.
The paper assumes utilizing 5G technology and artificial intelligence to better detect drones. The Commission is besides planning to draw up guidelines for critical infrastructure operators and to launch a maritime surveillance pilotage. Support is besides intended to cover the defence against high-altitude hazards, specified as weather balloons sent outside the EU.
According to Dariusz Joński, drones can be a cheaper and effective way of protection than conventional rocket systems. He points out that in Ukraine a comparatively inexpensive drone can destruct very costly military equipment.
"Union trusted drone" and European production
The Commission proposes the introduction of the EU Trusted Drone label. It is intended to aid identify safe equipment available on the market.
The plan focuses on the improvement of European industry. The aim is for key systems to be produced in the EU. The Commission announces common technological standards and hazard assessment mechanisms in the supply chains.
The MEP stresses that Europe should make its own solutions, as should the satellite navigation strategy as an alternate to the US GPS. In his opinion, the continent can become a driver of the improvement of fresh military technologies.
Poland invests in drone troops
Development of unmanned technologies accelerated after the outbreak of the war in Ukraine. There are already respective 100 drone factories in Poland and Ukraine. Modern systems are constantly tested and improved.
Polish armed forces formed peculiar drone troops. This is the unit liable for utilizing unmanned aircraft to defend airspace.
According to the Ministry of State Activities, 1 of the key projects is the SAN system, defined as the largest integrated drone strategy in Europe. After the improvement of the WIZJER program, the first unmanned reflection drones of the production of PGZ were already sent to the Armed Forces of Poland.
The Commission's fresh strategy is to guarantee that akin initiatives are developed across the Union. The nonsubjective is to make Europe more safe and more technologically independent.
