Action Plan on Drone and Counter Drone Security

Key Points

The EESC:

• supports the objective of strengthening preparedness, detection and response capacities and deterring malicious drone use, while stressing that all measures must remain proportionate and consistent with fundamental rights, privacy, data protection, legal certainty and democratic accountability;

• underlines the urgent nature of the evolving drone and counter-drone threat environment, in light of rapid technological developments in recent conflicts and hybrid operations; 

• stresses that aviation and public safety must remain the overriding priority when designing and implementing counter-drone measures, preserving the operational integrity of the European Air Traffic Management (ATM) system;

• emphasises the management, operational and human dimension of drone and counter-drone systems; 

• welcomes the strengthening of the European industrial and technological base in drones and counter-drone systems and recognises the low-altitude economy as an opportunity for building future European economic advantages and as a driver for innovation, competitiveness and export opportunities;

• supports measures to protect critical infrastructure, including stress testing, deployment of counter-drone systems and joint procurement, while stressing that economic, operational, legal, liability and workforce implications, especially for smaller operators, must be assessed.