According to the EU Commission, drones have become a serious security threat to the European Union. Airspace violations, disruptions to airport operations, near collisions with civilian aircraft and attacks on power plants and energy infrastructure have exposed the vulnerability of the European security architecture. The action plan, presented in Strasbourg on February 11, 2026, aims to close these gaps and enable a coordinated European response to the full spectrum of drone threats – from negligent behavior to criminal activities and hybrid operations by state actors.

Stricter registration requirements and a new security package

A central element of the plan is the drone security package, which the Commission plans to present by the third quarter of 2026, according to the action plan. In the future, all drones weighing more than 100 grams will have to be registered. The plan also calls for direct remote identification to be expanded to these smaller drones. Another planned measure: Drones should only be able to take off if an operator identification number has previously been entered.

These tightening measures respond to the rapid growth of the drone sector. As the action plan shows, the EU drone ecosystem exceeded two million registered operators at the end of 2024 – an increase of around 20 percent within a year. At the same time, the number of operating licenses for professional and higher-risk operations has increased almost fivefold.

The Commission is also planning a coordinated security risk assessment for drones and counter-drone systems, in particular examining risks in the ICT supply chain. On this basis, a so-called drone and counter-drone security toolbox with proportionate protective measures could follow. In addition, an EU trust label is planned for civil drones, which is based on independent third-party testing and defines additional criteria for trustworthiness and resilience.

Building an EU center of excellence and industrial capacity

To advance technological development, the action plan envisages expanding the Joint Research Center’s counter-drone laboratory into a fully-fledged EU center of excellence for drone defense. This center is intended for regular and extensive testing and validation programs for counter-drone measures, starting with a focus on protecting critical infrastructure.

The Commission also wants to develop a harmonized test methodology for counter-drone systems and make a recommendation on voluntary performance requirements for such systems. The European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) is to develop criteria to ensure that counter-drone measures do not endanger aviation safety.

To strengthen industrial dialogue, the Commission also plans to set up a drone and counter-drone industry forum called “D-TECT Forum” (Drone TEch for Countering Threats). It aims to bring together a broad ecosystem of technologies – from chips to artificial intelligence to quantum technology, cloud and cybersecurity.

5G networks as a detection tool

Another approach in the action plan is to use existing 5G telecommunications networks to detect drones. According to the document, a two-tier system will be built: At the first level, networks will recognize connected drones by identifying unusual SIM card identities or data transmission patterns. AI-based automated detection and early warning systems are designed to issue behavior-based warnings about fast-moving objects on unusual paths.

On the second level, the plan envisages the use of so-called ISAC technology (Integrated Sensing and Communication). This technology can transform 5G and next-generation antennas into radar sensors capable of detecting the spatial position of any unidentified flying object – including balloons. European telecommunications providers are already testing this technology and the first steps towards standardization have been taken, particularly in the context of 6G, as the Commission writes.

The Commission wants to propose the necessary regulatory changes, for example to ensure that spectrum allocation enables sensing while limiting interference with aviation. A mandate to the CEPT (European Conference of Postal and Telecommunications Administrations) to develop technical and operational conditions for sensing is planned.

Protection of critical infrastructure and external borders

The action plan emphasizes the urgent need to equip critical infrastructure with the latest counter-drone equipment. The Commission wants to develop a voluntary plan with interested Member States for stress testing the resilience of critical infrastructure against drone incursions, based on the model of stress tests already carried out in the energy sector and for submarine cables.

For the maritime domain, which according to the document is particularly vulnerable to threats from aerial, surface and underwater drones, the Commission is planning a pilot action to improve maritime domain awareness. This could be implemented by Member States in the context of regional cable hubs and involve the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA), the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) and Frontex.

The action plan envisages significant investments at the EU’s external borders. A recently published appeal for €250 million targets Member States with increased and complex border management pressures. The funds are intended to support the direct purchase of drones and counter-drone systems, their integration into national border surveillance systems, and the use of innovative technologies to combat hybrid threats. In addition, applications for a 150 million euro call for unmanned equipment for air and maritime surveillance were evaluated.

According to the Commission, weather balloons, hundreds of which were launched from countries outside the EU into the airspace of some member states last year, pose a particular challenge – for example to smuggle goods. These unmanned balloons posed serious security risks due to their size, weight, unpredictable wind-driven trajectories and payload capacity. The Commission plans to organize a hackathon in the second quarter of 2026, inviting the industry and start-up community to propose innovative solutions to this threat.

Rapid response teams and annual exercises

In order to strengthen solidarity between Member States, the Commission proposes in the action plan to set up rapid counter-drone emergency teams. These are designed to be rapidly deployable reserve units, equipped with the latest detection and response technologies, and will operate at the request of a Member State authority under a mutual assistance approach.

An annual EU-wide counter-drone exercise is also planned to test cross-border cooperation and civil-military synergies. The first exercise is planned for autumn 2026.

The Commission also wants to support the development of sovereign European command and control capabilities powered by AI software and with high levels of cybersecurity, state-of-the-art encryption and high-performance computing capacity. These C2 solutions would be able to work together with detection capabilities and deploy multiple effectors against malicious drones.

Executive Vice-President Henna Virkkunen emphasized in the Commission’s press release: “We have seen that anything can be used as a weapon against us. Drone and anti-drone capabilities are central components in defending Europe and securing critical infrastructure.”

Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said the action plan transforms the concept of a “drone wall” from a political vision to an industrial reality. The Commission is developing a range of tools for industry and Member States to develop and acquire drone and anti-drone defense capabilities in Europe.

Defense preparedness and Ukraine cooperation

In addition to the civil security dimension, the action plan also addresses military defense preparedness. According to the document, drones and counter-drone systems are one of the priority capability areas identified and agreed by member states. The Defense Readiness Roadmap underlined the need to prioritize this capability.

In the action plan, the Commission announces the European Drone Defense Initiative and the Eastern Flank Watch Initiative, which are considered flagship projects of the Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030. A central element here is the drone alliance with Ukraine. This alliance aims to bring together system manufacturers, start-ups and a community of innovators to build on Ukraine’s experience and industrial base. It will also facilitate work on standardization, certification and interoperability, as well as contribute to the creation of joint ventures and public-private partnerships in the EU and Ukraine.

According to the Commission, a total of one billion euros has been made available financially from the European Defense Fund and its predecessor programs for drone-related research and development measures. A further 200 million euros are earmarked for the next two years under the European Defense Fund.

Implementation and next steps

The Commission wants to start discussions with Member States on the proposed measures and key priorities. The action plan envisages that Member States appoint national drone safety coordinators whose task would be to monitor, promote and advance national implementation.

To coordinate implementation, the Commission is considering setting up a strategic mechanism with the Member States, linking the different dimensions and ensuring close cooperation with the Council. The action plan should be understood as a dynamic process that is adapted according to the development and type of threats. The Commission wants to publish an annual progress report based on voluntary contributions from the Member States.

(This: