Action Plan on Drone and Counter Drone Security

As a matter of priority, the Commission, together with Member States, where appropriate, will:

Propose a Drone Security Package by Q3 2026to rapidly adapt the regulatory framework to new security threats:

Ensure mandatory registration for all drone operators of smaller drones (above 100g).

Extend drone direct remote identification obligation to smaller drones (above 100g).

Avoid take-off of drones unless an operator identification number has been entered.

Introduce regulatory simplification and flexibility for certain operations.

Work with willing Member States on a voluntary plan to stress test the resilience of critical infrastructures against drone intrusion.

Adopt non-binding CER guidelines on resilience enhancing measures for critical entities with targeted guidance on countering threats posed by drones (Q2 2026).

Issue a Recommendation on voluntary performance requirements for counter-drone systems (Q4 2026)

Launch by Q3 2026 a Coordinated Security risk assessment on drones and counter- drone capacities, with a view to adopt a Drone Security Toolbox.

Launch in Q2 2026 a drone and counter-drone industrial forum – the “D-TECT Forum” (Drone TEch for Countering Threats).

Support the scaling up of drone and counter-drone start-ups and the ramping up of production capacities.

Gather immediately a working group with interested Member States targeting balloon threatsand launch in Q2 2026 a dedicated hackathon on balloons threats, for the industry and start-up community to propose innovative solutions.

The Commission, will follow up with Member States, in order to:

Develop by Q4 2026 an EU Trusted Drone Label to enhance trustworthiness of civil drones placed on the market.

Improve by Q4 2026 the availability of UAS geographical zone information, and by 2027 establish the technical requirements for geofencing function.

Establish by Q1 2027 a EU counter-drone centre of excellence and launch testing programmes, integrating aviation safety requirements. Support the development of full standard for a harmonised testing methodology for countering unmanned aircraft systems.

Launch by 2027 a pilot action to enhance maritime domain awareness to counter surface and undersea drone threats

Expand in Q1 2026 the composition of the Commission-chaired Counter-drone Expert Group (CUASG) to include relevant EU Agencies (e.g. Frontex, Europol, EDA, EASA).

Upgrade by Q2 2026 the training cycle for law enforcement operators to include mitigation and neutralisation measures.

As a matter of priority, the Commission, together with Member States, will:

Launch a Call for Expressions of Interest to Member States, Ukraine and European industrial partners to live test and deploy cellular-based, dual-use drone detection capacity (Q2 2026):

AI-based early alert mechanism of malicious connected drones enhanced by the digital airspace concept;

Cellular sensing detection of non-connected drones;

Embedding cellular sensing into current and upcoming military applications.

Take the necessary regulatory steps to allow spectrum to be used for sensing through an amended spectrum harmonisation decision.

The Commission will also follow-up with Member States in order to:

Improve situational awareness through

The integration of relevant data into dedicated single display systems;

Exploring the progressive establishment an EU drone incident platform;

Integrating detection, tracking and identification capabilities into national border surveillance systems;

Common data formats for counter-drone capabilities.

Strongly encourage Member States to set up an information-sharing framework between civil aviation authorities, law enforcement and military.

As a matter of urgency, the Commission, together with Member States will:

Launch by Q2 2026 a call for Expression of Interest to establish a voluntary EU counter-drone deployment initiative for critical infrastructure based on:

An overview of EU dual use counter-drone capability needs.

a joint development pilot programme for counter-drone capacities.

Voluntary joint purchasing for the protection of critical infrastructure.

Deploying Counter-drone capacities in maritime and land border (through the €250m call on expression of interest under the BMVI).

As part of the ongoing rollout of AI Gigafactories, support home grown, dual use and AI-Powered C2 capacities for autonomous assets with the view to deploy sovereign software solutions.

Launch a yearly EU large-scale drone security/blueprint exercise to testcross border cooperation and civilian/military synergies (first exercise in autumn 2026).

The Commission will follow up with Member States to:

Launch a feasibility study for an EU level counter-drone regulatory framework setting a common minimum baseline for Member State authorities, and private operators of critical infrastructure.

Adopt a Commission Recommendation on countering threats posed by drones for law enforcement operators.

Support Frontex in using drones for enhanced border surveillance purposes through joint operations, drone and counter-drone pilots and live demos.

Explore by Q4 2026 the establishment of Rapid Counter-drone emergency teams to enhance the solidarity and mutual assistance against drone threats.

Encourage Member States to develop the right legal framework in place to allow to take efficient remedial measures, including take downs, against drone threats and empowering private critical infrastructure owners to take the necessary measures.

As a matter of priority, the Commission and the High Representative within their respective prerogatives, will:

Intensify its support to Member States in the Priority Capability Area Drone and Counter-Drone, including through fostering convergence and synergies across PCA’s coalition work and related ongoing capability efforts as well as through tools such as the EDPCI and SEAP. Such efforts will frame the European Defence Drone Initiative, and the Eastern Flank Watch initiative.

Support the rapid industrialisation of drone / counter-drone solutions for defence purposes.

Launch the Drone Alliance Initiative with Ukraine to incentivise the creation of an innovative industrial ecosystem.

Incentivise and support exchanges and training programmes between Ukraine and Member States for drone pilots, engineers and maintenance specialists.