EPRS_BRI_2025_772885_EN.pdf — page 8

EPRS | European Parliamentary Research Service 
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Counter-drone capabilities also feature prominently. Andersson and Simon recommend 
significantly increasing investment in technologies designed to neutralise or deter hostile drones, 
thereby protecting critical infrastructure and military assets. They highlight the need for sharing best 
practices and technologies both across the EU and with transatlantic partners to maintain a robust 
defensive posture.  
Strategic autonomy is important, too. Haroche stresses that the EU must be able to produce 
independently next-generation drones to modernise its defence industrial base while reinforcing 
NATO's European pillar. Ulrike Franke from the European Council on Foreign Relations warns of the 
West's overreliance on Chinese-manufactured civilian drones, noting the operational and supply-
chain risks this entails. Drawing lessons from the war in Ukraine, she underscores the strategic value 
of scalable drone production and the new dynamic of civilian involvement in drone warfare – through 
volunteer operators and crowdfunding – which presents novel opportunities and challenges for 
liberal democracies. 
Armed drones in the EU Member States 
As of 2023, the global commercial drone (UAS) market was valued at approximately 
USD$22.98 billion, with forecasts indicating robust growth to USD$57.16 billion by 2030. This surge 
is fuelled by rising demand across a range of sectors, including agriculture, logistics, media and 
healthcare. The market is currently dominated by Chinese manufacturers – most notably DJI, which 
commands an estimated 74 % share – followed by France's Parrot and other Chinese firms such as 
Yuneec, Autel Robotics, and Ehang. This concentration of production in China highlights not only its 
dominance in the sector but also potential security concerns, given the dual-use nature of many 
commercial drones, which can be adapted for sensitive or security-related purposes. The military 
UAS market, valued at USD$13.2 billion in 2022, is projected to reach USD$27.7 billion by 2032. 
The EU is building on a solid foundation, and Europe is well-placed to take a leading role in the future 
of drone warfare. According to industry reports, as of 2022 over 40 % of all drone companies 
worldwide were based in Europe. Ukraine, alongside Turkey, has emerged as Europe's leading drone 
manufacturer. However, EUISS experts claim that, for Ukraine to fully realise the potential of its 
drone industry, it needs greater funding to scale up production and get better access to key 
components such as advanced radio transmitters and sensors.  
The International Drone Coalition, initiated by Latvia and Ukraine, came into existence in February 
2024. It consists of 17 countries – Australia, Canada, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, France, Germany, 
Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Sweden, Latvia and 
the United Kingdom, with the latter two countries currently serving as its coordinators. The coalition 
has amassed €176 million in its Joint Fund over the past year, with total partner assistance exceeding 
€2 billion. These funds are allocated for purchasing drones and supporting innovative developments 
to enhance Ukrainian forces' battlefield capabilities. Two international tenders have been conducted: 
under the first, five suppliers were elected to deliver 30 000 FPV drones to Ukraine within 
six months; the second focused on advanced FPV and interceptor drones, with nearly 20 Ukrainian 
manufacturers participating for the first time. Additionally, the coalition has established a drone 
testing ground in Latvia. In March 2025, the Netherlands announced a €500 million investment in a 
large-scale drone project aimed at bolstering Ukraine's defence capabilities against the Russian 
aggression. This funding is part of a broader €2 billion aid package allocated by the Dutch 
government in support of Ukraine. 
Currently, EU militaries do not have the extensive arsenals of armed drones that Russia and Ukraine 
possess. While some EU Member States operate a limited number of large, costly MALE drones – 
similar to those used in the 'War on Terrorism' – their effectiveness in a highly contested 
environment is restricted. Additionally, no EU military has a sufficient stockpile of expendable 
drones and loitering munitions to sustain high-intensity combat on the scale observed in Ukraine. In 
recent history, EU countries have concentrated on designing a high-end MALE UAV, despite having 
diverse operational needs. Meanwhile, technological advances have made smaller tactical UAVs