Eurodrone: Europe’s Sovereign Skies

The Eurodrone represents a significant advancement in Europe's defence capabilities, embodying a new generation of Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) designed to enhance European sovereignty. Gilles Armstrong, the Head of Eurodrone at Airbus, elaborates on its significance. Medium Altitude, Long Endurance (MALE) Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) have become essential assets for air forces worldwide.

These versatile aircraft offer extensive intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities, facilitating continuous monitoring of large terrestrial and maritime regions. Their prolonged loitering capability, proficiency in collecting high-resolution data, and ability to carry precision munitions are essential for contemporary security operations, particularly in highly intricate situations.

Europe has historically been without an independent, high-performance Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). The Eurodrone addresses this strategic deficiency, as confirmed by the European Union's 'ReArm / Readiness 2030' plan.

It will equip European armed forces with a domestically developed asset specifically designed to meet their operational requirements. Its integration will markedly improve Europe's independent ISR capabilities, enhancing collective defence and reinforcing strategic autonomy.

The four initiating countries—Germany, France, Spain, and Italy—have placed an order for 20 Eurodrone systems, each comprising three air vehicles and two ground stations. These systems are being developed by the industrial partners Airbus, Dassault Aviation, and Leonardo. Additionally, India and Japan have joined the program as observers.

Gilles Armstrong commented when asked what the vision for the programme is. "First and foremost, our teams are highly competent and dedicated, while the product we are developing is truly exceptional! We have a unique opportunity to demonstrate that effective and successful European collaboration can be achieved through shared commitment and know-how. The Eurodrone is more than just an aircraft. It’s a symbol of Europe's commitment to its own security and strategic autonomy."

Gilles went on to say, "My plan for the future is to focus on making our industrial partnerships more robust, as well as strengthening our collaboration with OCCAR [the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation responsible for the overall management of the programme] and the nations. This is essential to meet the tight schedule. Specifically, our cooperative environment must reflect the relationship between the value of a capability and the time required for its development, a trade-off that is the hallmark of most complex product programmes. Control processes must add value proportionate to the effort invested. The focus, ultimately, is on speed and operational excellence. While all parties agree on the need for this, it’s a question of developing a method that we are all comfortable with. Nevertheless, we have jointly made significant progress on the proposals."

Gilles Armstrong explained the current level of progress. "Airbus and our industrial partners are progressing rapidly towards the validation of the contractual Critical Design Review (CDR) in Q4 2025. The CDR is a multi-disciplinary technical review that ensures the integrity of the design for subsequent production, demonstration, and testing. As a pivotal preparatory step, we have already concluded an internal CDR within Airbus, and our documentation has been formally accepted into the OCCAR review. A successful assessment was conducted by an independent panel, marking a key milestone in the project's development. The teams' considerable efforts were duly recognised."

"After the contractual CDR, the customer nations and subcontractors will review the programme status for the Contract Maturity Gate (CMG 1). This will lead to the manufacturing phase, followed by intensive testing and the Eurodrone's first flight, with an entry into service before the end of this decade."

When asked what added value Eurodrone will bring to operators in combat scenarios compared to smaller drones, Armstrong responded. "Eurodrone offers significant advantages compared to smaller drones: superior range, greater payload capacity, and the ability to carry sophisticated sensors and weapons. Advanced radars enable surveillance from greater distances, reducing losses. Greater endurance ensures longer operational times, crucial for missions covering wide areas. Eurodrone complements fleets of smaller drones, providing persistent surveillance, advanced reconnaissance, and precise targeting capabilities."

The Eurodrone ushers in a new segment of large, medium altitude, long endurance uncrewed aerial systems. It sets itself apart with exceptional payload capacity, extended loiter time, and seamless integration capabilities within civil airspace. This makes Eurodrone a unique and unparalleled platform, particularly as it is a fully ITAR-free solution. The Eurodrone is not subject to ITAR, providing greater flexibility and autonomy for export and operation. This is further reinforced by the programme's fully European supply chain, which is designed to guarantee strategic sovereignty, particularly in the current volatile geopolitical context.

When asked about the Eurodrone's suitability for maritime surveillance, Armstrong replied. "Eurodrone is ideal for maritime surveillance, providing crucial oversight for monitoring activities, detecting threats, and supporting naval operations across vast ocean areas. Automatic and Warship Automatic Identification System (AIS/W-AIS), maritime radar, and other standard maritime technologies are integrated into its baseline design. Eurodrone’s open architecture allows for future growth in maritime capabilities, including 360° radar coverage and connectivity systems, including Link 22, a NATO tactical data link. Furthermore, it offers lower operational costs than crewed platforms."

“Spain is fully committed to the continuity of the programme, as stated by the Spanish Minister of Defence at the latest German-Spanish Bilateral Meeting in Berlin on 28 August. In the current European security environment, this programme plays a key role in strengthening our medium-to-long-term operational capabilities and contributes to the development of national know-how in a cooperation programme that will strengthen European industrial and technological sovereignty. We appreciate the dedication of the team and look forward to continued collaboration as the programme progresses," said Colonel Francisco Javier Martín García-Almenta, Directorate General of Armament and Material, Spanish Ministry of Defence.

"As observer nations, India and Japan gain detailed insights into Eurodrone’s development and data, aiding informed decisions on participation or purchase. This opens the doors to potential government-to-government collaboration. Eurodrone's unique performance offers growth potential, ensures full sovereignty of operations, and supports future indigenous industry participation. These factors are key in any modern international programme." Armstrong Added

In a drastically changed geopolitical landscape, especially for Europe, Eurodrone is poised to be a trusted player in future combat scenarios. It will integrate into Europe’s future sixth-generation fighter programme, exchanging data with other platforms such as Eurofighter combat aircraft, ground stations, and satellites. Crucially, Eurodrone guarantees full data sovereignty for the operator, reducing dependence on foreign suppliers and offering enhanced control, security, and operational independence. Eurodrone is a unique European project which will define the continent's industrial capabilities for a long time.