EPRS_BRI_2025_772885_EN.pdf — page 5

Military drones 
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within it include coordinated EU-European Investment Bank (EIB) funding for a flagship drone 
technologies project, the creation of a strategic drone technology roadmap to guide research and 
reduce dependencies, and the establishment of a civil-defence drone testing network to foster 
collaboration across sectors. In addition, the EDIS notes that the Commission will put forward a 
policy proposal to support the production of drones within the EU or possibly jointly with Ukraine 
by mobilising relevant instruments. 
Uncrewed systems across all domains, including the weaponisation of existing platforms, feature 
prominently in the EU capability development plan (CDP), which was approved by EU defence 
ministers in 2023. Notably, the CDP also advocates for the development of a European, NATO-
interoperable standard for air defence systems, encompassing both kinetic and directed energy 
technologies designed to counter 'slow, small, and low-altitude threats' as well as drone swarms. 
The ReArm Europe plan/Readiness 2030, launched by Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, 
aims to bolster EU defence capabilities by leveraging over €800 billion in funding. EU Member States 
are encouraged to increase national defence spending by activating the Stability and Growth Pact's 
escape clause, allowing temporary fiscal flexibility for up to four years, limited to defence 
expenditure and capped at 1.5 % of GDP annually. A new €150 billion instrument, SAFE (Security 
Action for Europe), should provide long-term EU-backed loans to support rapid and large-scale 
defence investments, mainly through joint procurement, with participation extended to Ukraine, 
EFTA/EEA countries, and EU partners. The plan also leverages the EIB Group and introduces a new 
savings and investments union strategy to attract private capital, ensuring the long-term viability of 
the EU's defence industrial base.  
The white paper for European defence – Readiness 2030 identifies drones and counter-drone 
systems as one of seven priority areas critical for building robust EU defence. It emphasises that 
collaborative procurement is the most efficient means to acquire large numbers of drones. 
Additionally, the paper highlights Ukraine's significant expertise in drones and suggests that drones 
should be provided to Ukraine 
as a priority, as they are 
essential 
to 
address 
the 
asymmetry in military resources 
on the battlefield. 
At the special European Council 
meeting on 6 March 2025, EU 
leaders 
reaffirmed 
their 
commitment to strengthening 
defence 
capabilities 
and 
autonomy 
in 
response 
to 
security 
threats, 
more 
specifically Russia's war against 
Ukraine. 
Recognising 
the 
urgency of the situation, they 
welcomed the Commission's 
plan to recommend activating 
the Stability and Growth Pact's 
escape 
clause 
to 
enable 
increased 
national 
defence 
spending. Additionally, they 
took note of the SAFE proposal 
for €150 billion in defence 
loans. Leaders also backed 
expanding the EIB's role in 
defence financing and called for 
The Eurodrone 
Eurodrone is a collaborative European initiative designed to meet 
future unmanned aerial system (UAS) requirements. Developed as a 
joint effort between Leonardo, Airbus Defence and Space, and 
Dassault Aviation, the programme is a partnership between industry 
and government, supported by France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. 
Under the management of the Organisation for Joint Armament Co-
operation (OCCAR), Eurodrone will be deployed globally for 
intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance 
(ISTAR) missions, both in wide-area and in-theatre operations. In 
2021, approximately €100 million was allocated to support the 
development of the Eurodrone, a long-endurance, remotely piloted 
aircraft system. As part of its 2024 call for proposals, the Commission 
allocated another €100 million to support the development of a fully 
European medium-altitude, long-endurance (MALE) remotely 
piloted aircraft system (RPAS). The aim is to reduce reliance on non-
EU manufacturers for ISR missions.  
The Eurodrone programme, launched in 2015, previously received 
€107 million in 2021 under the European defence industrial 
development programme. However, the Eurodrone programme has 
faced setbacks, including delays in a preliminary design review 
originally scheduled for September 2023, due to coordination issues 
between Airbus and Dassault. These delays could impact the critical 
design review planned for September 2024 and may push back the 
drone's first flight, currently scheduled for January 2027. The 
Eurodrone is also a PESCO project called 'European Medium Altitude 
Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems - MALE RPAS'.