The European Commission has unveiled a wide-ranging Action Plan aimed at countering the growing security risks posed by drones, as incidents involving hostile overflights, airport disruptions and threats to critical infrastructure continue to rise across the European Union.

In recent years, drones — and even high-altitude meteorological balloons — have emerged as a complex and evolving challenge for European security authorities. From airspace violations to risks at borders and in public spaces, the technology’s rapid spread has outpaced existing safeguards. The Commission’s new plan is designed to close that gap.

At its core, the Action Plan lays out a coordinated EU response to malicious drone activity, answering calls from Member States and the European Parliament for stronger cooperation and solidarity. While the focus is firmly on civilian internal security, the initiative is closely aligned with defence efforts already under way, reinforcing civil-military cooperation and strengthening Europe’s overall resilience.

At the same time, Brussels is keen to ensure that security measures go hand in hand with economic opportunity. The plan also seeks to boost Europe’s drone industry, supporting innovation, competitiveness and job creation in a fast-growing sector.

A coordinated push on preparedness and resilience

To help Member States better prepare for drone-related incidents, the Commission is proposing a new approach that links technological development with faster industrial scale-up. This includes a coordinated civil-military mapping of industrial capabilities to attract investment and improve interoperability across Europe.

A new EU Counter-Drone Centre of Excellence is also planned, alongside a certification scheme for counter-drone systems. These steps aim to strengthen testing capacity and ensure reliable, trusted technologies are deployed across the Union. In addition, a Drone and Counter-Drone Industry Forum will bring public authorities and industry together to help scale up production.

Regulation is another key pillar. The Commission intends to present a Drone Security Package to update existing rules on civilian drones and adapt them to today’s security realities. This package will include a coordinated risk assessment of drone and counter-drone supply chains and introduce an “EU Trusted Drone” label to identify secure equipment on the market.

Protecting critical infrastructure is also high on the agenda. The Commission plans to issue clearer guidelines for infrastructure operators, launch a pilot project to strengthen maritime surveillance, and support Member States in countering high-altitude threats originating outside the EU.

Better detection through technology and 5G

Effective defence against malicious drones starts with detection. The Action Plan emphasises the need for a clearer, shared situational picture to distinguish legitimate drone activity from hostile threats.

To achieve this, the Commission wants to support the development of integrated airspace display systems that combine data from multiple sources. It is also exploring the creation of a Drone Incident Platform with Member States to improve coordination and information sharing.

Detection increasingly relies on a mix of sensors, advanced technologies and artificial intelligence. Brussels has signalled it will continue to back cutting-edge research in this field. Particular attention is being paid to drone swarms, a growing concern for security services.

In this context, 5G networks are seen as a crucial tool. The Commission argues that Europe must urgently harness 5G for drone detection — whether drones are connected to networks or not. To speed things up, it will launch a call for expressions of interest from Member States and industry to support rapid deployment and live testing of 5G-based detection systems. These networks can provide precise, real-time tracking of flying objects, a capability seen as essential for protecting European skies.

Stronger, faster responses across borders

While responsibility for responding to drone threats remains with national authorities, the Commission believes the EU can add real value by pooling efforts. It plans to invite interested countries to jointly procure and deploy counter-drone systems, reducing costs and improving interoperability.

Support is also foreseen for the development of European, AI-powered command-and-control systems, as well as the possible creation of Rapid Counter-Drone Emergency Response Teams to strengthen solidarity between Member States.

To test readiness, the Commission proposes organising an annual large-scale EU counter-drone exercise, designed to stress-test cross-border cooperation and civil-military coordination. Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency, will continue to receive drones and technology for border surveillance and will provide practical guidance on cross-border incident handling.

Boosting defence readiness and industrial capacity

On the defence side, the Action Plan complements national efforts to strengthen military readiness through innovation and industrial cooperation. This includes securing supplies of critical raw materials and building a more robust European drone ecosystem.

Closer cooperation between governments and industry is foreseen through initiatives such as the Drone Alliance with Ukraine. By accelerating the development of affordable defence technologies and enabling faster mass production, these efforts are expected to feed into flagship projects such as the European Drone Defence Initiative and the Eastern Flank Watch, outlined in the Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030.

EU funding programmes already play a major role, including Horizon Europe, the European Defence Fund and the Border Management and Visa Instrument. The Commission says it will continue to support Member States financially through these tools, as well as through the European Defence Industry Programme and SAFE loans.

What comes next

The Commission will now begin discussions with Member States on the proposed measures, working on the basis of shared ownership. Close cooperation with industry and the European Parliament is also planned, with the Action Plan described as a living framework that will evolve as threats change.

To ensure effective implementation, Brussels is considering the creation of a strategic coordination mechanism with Member States and closer cooperation with the Council. It has also proposed that each Member State appoint a National Drone Security Coordinator to oversee national implementation.

The new Action Plan builds on the Commission’s 2023 communication on drone threats and replaces earlier initiatives, including the mid-term review of the Drone Strategy 2.0. Supporting this work, the Commission’s Joint Research Centre continues to play a key role in drone and counter-drone research, with its Geel site in Belgium serving as a real-world testing ground for emerging technologies.

As drone technology continues to advance, the Commission’s message is clear: Europe intends to stay one step ahead.