Coverage of EU and national drone laws, certification standards, and policy debates defining operational frameworks.
China
While European drone startups multiply, their strategic foundation remains fragile. True sovereignty lies not in final assembly, but in the upstream production of critical components: magnets for motors, processed graphite for batteries, and low-cost sensors.
southern-european
The Italian Competition Authority has initiated an investigation into DJI and its importer Nital for suspected illegal price-fixing and blocking of parallel imports. The probe focuses on the resale practices of professional drones, potentially violating EU competition laws.
regulation
In response to China's recent export restrictions on rare earths, the EU is set to propose a comprehensive strategy for critical minerals by the end of 2025. This initiative aims to bolster the EU's supply chain resilience and reduce dependency on non-European sources, particularly in the defense an
policy
The German drone industry association UAV DACH advocates for replacing the current Remote ID system with ADS-L, a more secure and efficient alternative. The proposal aims to enhance safety and operational efficiency in low-altitude airspace for both commercial and recreational drone users.
EU - European Union
Europe’s rearmament push is stalling despite record defence budgets. Political disunity, fragmented procurement, and low recruitment are undermining progress. Without real cooperation, the EU’s ambition for strategic autonomy risks remaining rhetoric, not readiness.
regulation
Lithuania's foreign minister urges the EU to impose new sanctions on Belarus following recent balloon incursions used for smuggling. The incidents highlight ongoing hybrid threats and the need for a coordinated response within the EU and NATO.
regulation
SORA 2.5 updates the Specific Operations Risk Assessment, streamlining it to 10 steps, introducing a quantitative ground risk model and standardised documentation, improving clarity for operators and regulators across Europe.
policy
The European Council has committed to expediting its defense readiness roadmap for 2030, emphasizing joint procurement for defense acquisitions. The initiative aims for at least 40% of EU defense acquisitions to be conducted collaboratively by the end of 2027.
policy
Uwe Horstmann, the new CEO of Stark, emphasizes the need for Europe to rethink its military procurement strategies. As the first chief executive of the German drone start-up, Horstmann aims to influence how defense contracts are awarded, particularly in the drone sector.
policy
A Ukrainian expert emphasizes the need for the EU to focus on building training centers for drone operators rather than solely concentrating on drone production.
regulation
The European Commission has launched its Defense Readiness Roadmap, aiming to bolster the EU's military capabilities by 2030 in response to evolving threats, particularly from Russia. The roadmap includes four flagship projects to enhance collective security.
policy
The European Commission has announced a political agreement on the European Defence Industry Programme (EDIP), finalized on October 16, 2025.