On 27 August 2024, the Government of India formally requested Observer Status, which was approved by the Organisation Conjointe de Coopération en matière d’Armement (OCCAR). Joachim Sucker, Director of OCCAR-EA, delivered the Letter of Approval (LoA) to Indian Ambassador Ajit Gupte during a ceremony at the Indian Embassy in Berlin.
The move signals India’s willingness to engage with European defence initiatives and highlights OCCAR’s growing recognition on the global stage. Mr Sucker lauded India’s interest, expressing optimism for a long-term, mutually beneficial relationship between India and Europe in the defence sector.
The Eurodrone, developed by Airbus Defence & Space GmbH alongside Leonardo Spa, Dassault Aviation, and Airbus Defence & Space SAU, is an advanced unmanned aerial system. Its purpose is to conduct long-duration Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, addressing Europe’s dependency on non-EU ISR technology.
Since its inception in 2016, the Eurodrone project has achieved several key milestones. These include the completion of a Definition Study in 2018 and the signing of a global contract in 2022 to produce 20 systems comprising 60 aircraft and 40 Ground Control Stations. Supported by the European Commission’s Defence Industrial Development Programme, the first prototype is expected in 2024, with serial deliveries slated for later in the decade.
The Eurodrone Programme strengthens European technological independence and defence capabilities. By enabling operations in non-segregated airspace, it represents a significant leap in the integration of unmanned systems into civil and military domains.
Source: OCCAR.
