With EUR 100 million earmarked for the development of a fully European medium-altitude, long-endurance, remotely piloted aircraft system (MALE RPAS), the aim is to enhance Europe’s strategic autonomy in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions.
By reducing reliance on non-EU suppliers for critical defense technologies, such as ISR capabilities, Europe aims to strengthen its sovereignty and security.
However, the program has encountered challenges, including delays in key milestones like the preliminary design review.
These setbacks may impact the timeline for the first flight of the European MALE drone, currently scheduled for January 2027.
Despite these challenges, the Eurodrone programme remains a collaborative effort involving several EU member states and industry partners.
As Europe continues to navigate geopolitical complexities and strives for greater self-reliance in defense, initiatives like the Eurodrone program play a pivotal role in advancing European defence capabilities and ensuring security in an increasingly uncertain world.
About the author:
Mario Blokken is Director of the Permanent Secretariat of the Finabel -European Army Interoperability Centre.
