defense - Insights from Across Europe’s Drone Ecosystem (Page 14)

MQ-9B SeaGuardian maritime drone flying over sea during surveillance operations.

dach

Germany Buys Eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian RPAs Through NSPA

Germany has ordered eight MQ-9B SeaGuardian remotely piloted aircraft through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to enhance maritime ISR and NATO interoperability.

A Starlink user terminal on a rooftop with a soldier operating a drone control station in the background.

defense

Starlink Verification Disrupts Russian ‘Grey’ Terminals, Ukraine Claims

Ukraine says Starlink verification deactivated unregistered terminals, disrupting Russian ‘grey’ kits and reportedly slowing assaults in some sectors.

European Commission building with EU flag, representing approval of defence funding for Member States.

eu

Commission approves first wave of SAFE defence funding for eight EU states

The European Commission has approved the first wave of SAFE defence funding by endorsing national defence plans from eight Member States.

Sergey Lavrov speaking to media, illustrating Russia’s opposition to security guarantees for Ukraine.

defense

Ukraine’s “Steel Porcupine” Doctrine: Mass Army, Drones and Long-Strike

Ukraine’s “steel porcupine” plan bets on an 800,000-strong force, mass drone procurement and scalable domestic production as a substitute for uncertain postwar guarantees.

Avy Dock docking station shown with internal layout for autonomous operations with the Avy Aera fixed-wing VTOL drone.

defense

Avy upgrades ‘Avy Dock’ to enable fully remote Aera VTOL missions

Avy has unveiled an upgraded Avy Dock for its Aera fixed-wing VTOL, aiming to enable autonomous launch, landing and charging for fully remote, standby missions.

pan-europe

Parrot appoints five distributors to expand ANAFI UKR reach in CEE and Asia-Pacific

Parrot has appointed five regional defence distributors to expand sales, support and deployment of its sovereign ANAFI UKR micro-UAVs across Central and Eastern Europe and the Philippines.

EU and member-state flags outside a European institution building, symbolising Article 42.7 mutual assistance and European defence planning.

defense

EPP pushes Article 42.7 to de-risk EU defense from US volatility

EPP leaders want the EU to operationalise Article 42.7 mutual assistance, a move that could shift European capability priorities toward drones, space and missile defence amid US-NATO uncertainty.

A quadcopter receiving a directed laser power beam from a ground emitter over open terrain.

innovation

Laser charging system seeks indefinite drone flight

A laser power‑beaming system could allow drones to stay aloft for extended periods by beaming energy from ground or airborne transmitters, but technical, safety and regulatory hurdles limit near‑term operational use.

Sikorsky Nomad-style rendering of an armed unmanned aerial vehicle flying above tree canopy.

nordics

Sweden to spend $437M on drones, satellites and air defence

Sweden will invest four billion kronor to buy reconnaissance, EW, maritime and long-range loitering munitions for all services and 1.3 billion kronor to field about ten military satellites.

benelux

Belgium advances plans to arm SkyGuardian drones

Belgium is advancing plans to arm its SkyGuardian remotely piloted aircraft, shifting the platform from intelligence-only to an armed ISR role and prompting debate over legal, operational and NATO implications.

balkans

Bulgaria to put drone simulators in every army unit by New Year

Bulgaria plans to equip every army unit with drone simulators by New Year to accelerate operator training, save costs, and improve NATO interoperability.

Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal (L) and his Norwegian counterpart, Tore O. Sandvik, in a photo published on Nov. 30, 2025. (Denys Shmyhal/X)

ukraine

Ukraine and Norway launch joint drone production

Ukraine and Norway have launched a joint drone production effort to boost Ukrainian manufacturing and supply of unmanned aerial systems.