#^Europe’s Direction in Military Drone Development: Projects, Cooperation, and Counter-Drone SystemsEurope is charting an ambitious course in
military drone development, pursuing home-grown unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) alongside systems to defend against them. Several flagship European drone projects – from high-end combat UAV demonstrators to “loyal wingman” drones – are underway, backed by unprecedented multinational cooperation. In parallel, European nations are investing in counter-drone technologies to guard against the very threats drones pose on modern battlefields. This concerted effort comes as Europe seeks greater strategic autonomy in defence, learning from allies and conflicts abroad. By examining major UAV programs, collaborative frameworks, emerging counter-UAS solutions, and comparisons with U.S., Israeli and Ukrainian drone strategies, we can discern how Europe is securing its own place in the drone era.
European militaries are embracing indigenous drones and anti-drone systems like never before. Flagship projects such as the Eurodrone and FCAS “Remote Carriers”, alongside joint counter-UAV efforts, signal Europe’s drive for high-tech autonomy and cooperative innovation in the face of global drone proliferation.
Major European UAV Projects
Europe’s defence industry is developing several major military drone projects to bolster capabilities and reduce reliance on foreign suppliers. These include the new multi-nation MALE drone, combat drone “wingmen” for fighter jets, and advanced UAV demonstrators. Together, they represent Europe’s push into unmanned systems:
Eurodrone (European MALE RPAS)
European MALE RPAS Mock-up at ILA 2018. Credit: DeffiSK via Wikipedia
A flagship program to create a medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) UAV,
Eurodrone is spearheaded by Germany, France, Italy and Spain under the OCCAR armaments agency. This twin-propeller drone – unveiled as a full-scale model in 2018 – is designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) roles with the option to arm it for combat. Uniquely, Eurodrone is the first UAV designed for safe flight in civilian airspace, meeting stringent European safety standards. Development began in 2015 and, after overcoming some coordination setbacks, the project passed its preliminary design review in 2024 and aims for a maiden flight by 2027. The EU has
injected significant funding – including €100 million (about £86 million) via the European Defence Fund – to jolt Eurodrone’s development. By the late 2020s, Eurodrone is expected to give Europe a sovereign ISR platform, moving member states away from relying on American Predators or Israeli Herons. Airbus Defence (Germany) is lead contractor with Dassault (France) and Leonardo (Italy) as key partners, exemplifying Europe’s collaborative approach.
FCAS remote carriers mock-up at Paris Air Show 2019. Credit: Tiraden via Wikipedia
As part of the Franco-German-Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS) project – a 6th-generation fighter “system of systems” planned for the 2040s – Europe is developing unmanned ‘
Remote Carrier’ drones. These are essentially loyal wingman UAVs and swarming drones designed to accompany crewed fighter jets.
Airbus, as prime contractor for remote carriers, has unveiled concepts ranging from a large stealth Wingman drone to smaller air-launched drones. A full-scale mock-up of a stealthy wingman was displayed at the 2023 Berlin Air Show. These drones will fly alongside fighters like the Rafale or Eurofighter, scouting ahead and carrying sensors or even weapons. In Germany’s view, such unmanned teammates are needed “much, much earlier” than the new FCAS fighter itself. Indeed, the current war on Europe’s borders has highlighted the importance of air superiority and pushed leaders to accelerate drone teaming efforts.
By the early 2030s, Airbus aims to field a semi-autonomous wingman drone that can perform high-risk tasks (reconnaissance, jamming, SEAD strikes) while a human pilot remains safely out of harm’s way. These remote carriers will leverage AI for autonomy (with a human-in-the-loop for critical decisions) and operate as part of a networked “combat cloud”. Europe’s venture is analogous to the U.S. Skyborg and Australia’s Loyal Wingman programs. In fact, most major powers are pairing sixth-gen jets with drones – the U.S. demonstrated a Valkyrie drone launching its own drone, and the UK is developing similar adjuncts under its Tempest programme. Europe’s remote carriers, developed by Airbus, MBDA and Spain’s Satnus, are poised to keep European air forces competitive in this coming era of manned-unmanned teaming.
Tempest/GCAP and Other UAVs
GCAP concept model (delta wing type) left rear top view in GCAP booth of JA2024 at Tokyo Big Sight October 2024. Credit: Wikipedia
In parallel, the UK, Italy and Japan are jointly developing a sixth-generation fighter under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – formerly Britain’s “Tempest” project – which is expected to include its own uncrewed systems. Like FCAS, GCAP envisions “additive capabilities” such as loyal wingmen or remote carriers to augment the crewed jet. The UK had initiated a Project Mosquito to build a prototype loyal wingman UAV, and though that specific project was re-scoped, the underlying autonomous technologies are being folded into GCAP.
Little has been publicly revealed about GCAP’s drone component, but significant computing power and AI will be required to control multiple drones from a GCAP fighter. Beyond the big-name programs, Europe also has various smaller UAV initiatives – for example, tactical surveillance drones via
PESCO projects – and is integrating off-the-shelf drones into service more than before.
From high-end stealth UCAVs to small tactical quadcopters, Europe’s portfolio of unmanned aircraft is expanding rapidly. The overarching theme is European sovereignty in UAV technology: investing in domestic projects now so that future European forces can deploy drones without depending on external suppliers.
Theoretical average R&D spend for a new “extra-class” UAV
Taking the three headline European programmes that involve clean-sheet development work (Eurodrone R&D share, nEUROn, and an assumed €0.5 billion slice of FCAS specifically earmarked for Remote Carriers R&D*), the mean R&D outlay is:
With the same 2.5 % annual escalation to 2030:
EU Cooperation & Multinational Frameworks
Europe’s drone strategy hinges on collaboration — shared money, tech, and doctrine — so member states field interoperable UAVs and C-UAS systems while reinforcing a competitive, unified industrial base.
- “Team Europe” Funding: The European Defence Fund (EDF) co-finances joint R&D — €100 m already to Eurodrone, another €100 m planned — driving cost-sharing, interoperability, and a fully European supply chain.
- PESCO Alignment: Under Permanent Structured Cooperation, countries co-develop systems such as Eurodrone and projects on swarming or tactical UAVs. Shared requirements and timelines prevent fragmented national buys and signal EU defence unity.
- OCCAR & Bilateral Ties: Agencies like OCCAR manage multi-nation programs, while industry giants (Airbus, Dassault, Leonardo, etc.) form cross-border consortia that pool stealth, aeronautics, and integration expertise.
- NATO Interoperability: Common NATO standards for links, ID, and procedures ensure European drones plug seamlessly into allied operations. Initiatives such as the planned “drone wall” on NATO’s eastern flank show regional cooperation in practice.
Key takeaways for cost-conscious planners
- Price creep is real – at a modest 2.5 % defence inflation, Eurodrone’s unit cost rises by ~€16 million in just five years. Contract delays matter.
- Average big-UAV R&D bill sits around €1.3 billion today; expect nearer €1.5 billion for a clean-sheet design entering development in 2030.
- Economies of scale – every additional 10 airframes can shave €4–6 million off per-unit R&D amortisation for MALE-class systems.
- Stealth “wingmen” cost more in software and signatures, but can still undercut a full-sized fighter by an order of magnitude if bought in quantity.
- Collaborative funding mechanisms (EDF, PESCO, OCCAR) are essential levers to keep costs manageable without sacrificing European autonomy.
These headline figures give a realistic order-of-magnitude yardstick when weighing future UAV bids, upgrades, or potential export deals.
Counter-Drone Systems in Europe (C-UAS)
Equally important to building drones is the ability to defend against hostile drones. The proliferation of UAVs – from cheap quadcopter bombs to armed MALE drones – has made counter-unmanned aerial systems (C-UAS) a priority. Europe has responded with collaborative R&D and new national deployments to detect and neutralize rogue drones, whether on the battlefield or over domestic skies. Major developments include:
Joint European C-UAS Projects
Under EU auspices, European companies have joined forces to develop next-generation counter-drone solutions. A prime example is the JEY-CUAS (Joint European sYstem for Countering UAS) project, co-funded by the EU and led by Italy’s Leonardo. Launched in 2020, JEY-CUAS brought together a consortium of 40 partners from 14 countries to design a modular, scalable anti-drone system. In April 2024, the project held a final demonstration in Italy, showcasing advanced capabilities from detection to neutralization. The JEY-CUAS system integrates multiple sensors (radars, electro-optical cameras, radio frequency detectors) with command-and-control software to detect, track and classify drones – even fast or low-flying ones – and then defeat them via electronic jamming or kinetic interceptors.
A key focus is countering the emerging threat of drone swarms and tiny “micro-drones”. JEY-CUAS employs a flexible
“plug and play” architecture that can be adapted to different sites and combined with various effectors. The success of JEY-CUAS has laid the groundwork for an EU-standard C-UAS capability. It also links with a PESCO initiative on counter-UAS, aligning national efforts. By pooling expertise from across Europe – from Spanish and German radar firms to Nordic RF specialists and French aerospace labs – the project accelerates innovation. Europe is essentially ensuring it can “keep up with new LSS (low, small, slow) aerial threats” through joint action.
National C-UAS Efforts
The AUDS counter-UAS system. credit: AUDS
Individual European countries are deploying their own anti-drone systems, often in cooperation with domestic industry. For example, Spain in 2024 formed a partnership of Indra, Escribano and TRC companies to deliver an advanced C-UAS suite to the Spanish Armed Forces. This system will fuse radar, optronic (electro-optical/infrared) sensors, and radio-frequency detectors with AI-driven command and control. It will feature both “soft-kill” measures (jamming, hacking) and “hard-kill” effectors (likely high-powered lasers or drone-catching munitions) to neutralize drones in flight. Designed for easy deployment on land or ships, Spain’s solution builds on the know-how gained from participating in the JEY-CUAS project. The UK, likewise, has fielded anti-drone equipment to protect airports and critical sites after high-profile incursions. British firms developed systems like AUDS (Anti-UAV Defence System) combining drone-detecting radar and RF jammers – an AUDS was even used to safeguard London’s Gatwick Airport after disruptive drone sightings in 2018.
Germany has tested laser-based C-UAS weapons through Rheinmetall, aiming to shoot down small drones with directed-energy. France set up dedicated teams to secure events (like Bastille Day parades) with multi-sensor drone detection networks. Many militaries have also purchased man-portable jammers (essentially “drone guns”) that can disrupt the GPS or radio link of intruding UAVs.
Capabilities and Deployment
Modern C-UAS systems generally follow a layered approach, and Europe’s developments reflect this. First is early detection – using 360° radars, RF scanners listening for drone control signals, and passive acoustic or visual sensors. Once a potential drone is detected, AI algorithms help classify the object (bird? recreational drone? armed UAV?) and assess the threat level. Then comes engagement: “soft” disruption methods include radio jamming or protocol takeovers to force the drone to land, while “hard” kill options range from laser weapons to projectile interceptors (or even trained birds of prey in some creative cases!). The Spanish system, for instance, explicitly will incorporate both soft- and hard-kill actuators. European armed forces are deploying these tools not only in domestic security roles but also to protect troops in conflict zones. In Mali and the Middle East, European contingents have faced hostile drones, prompting the urgent adoption of C-UAS gear. NATO has emphasized that any deployed force now needs counter-drone protection, much like traditional air defence. Thus, Europe is institutionalising C-UAS: new doctrines, specialist units, and joint exercises are all part of the mix. By sharing information on drone threats and harmonising technology, European nations aim to collectively improve their defensive shield against drones. It’s a constant cat-and-mouse game as drone tech evolves, but Europe’s collaborative stance on C-UAS should help it respond faster to new threats than any country could alone.
In conclusion
Europe’s military drone development is both a technological and a strategic enterprise. It is about building the tools – UAVs and C-UAS – that modern militaries require, but doing so in a way that reinforces Europe’s independence and collaborative spirit. The investments made now in projects, partnerships, and innovation ecosystems will yield a more secure and self-reliant Europe in the face of rapidly evolving aerial threats. As the drone revolution marches on worldwide, Europe is determined not to be left behind – instead, through unity and ingenuity, it is carving out its own leadership role in the unmanned age. The coming decade will show how far this European direction in military drone development can go, but the trajectory is unmistakably set: upward and onward, with shared purpose, toward a future where Europe’s skies – and those of its allies – are secured by European drones, European cooperation, and European resolve.
The post
Europe’s Direction in Military Drone Development: Projects, Cooperation, and Counter-Drone Systems appeared first on
Orbital Today.
