EC Adopts the New Drone Market Development Strategy

EC Adopts the New Drone Market Development Strategy
Depositphotos

The European Commission adopted the European Drone Strategy 2.0. It sets out a vision for the further development of the European drone market.

The strategy of the EU's safety framework for operating and setting the technical requirements of drones is the world's most advanced. It lays out how Europe can pursue large-scale commercial drone operations while offering new opportunities in the sector.

Thanks to the EU's comprehensive regulatory framework, drones have flown safely for hundreds of thousands of hours in Europe's skies. The implementation of the ‘U-space' in January 2023, a European system unique in the world to manage drone traffic safely, will lay the ground for increased operations.

Before pushing ahead with these innovative technologies, the Commission wants to ensure that society supports drones. To address concerns over noise, safety, and privacy, the strategy, therefore, calls for national, regional, and local municipalities to ensure that drone services are aligned with citizens' needs.

The strategy envisions that by 2030, emergency services, mapping, imaging, inspection, and surveillance within the applicable legal frameworks by civil drones, as well as the urgent delivery of small consignments, will become a part of European life. Among other services expected to be carried out by drones in the period, are the innovative air mobility services, such as air taxis, providing regular transport services for passengers, initially with a pilot on board, but with the ultimate aim of fully automating operations.

Unleashing the potential of the EU drone market and services requires the identification of critical technology building blocks, such as AI, robotics, semiconductors, and EU space services and mobile telecommunications. This will help the EU build an innovative and competitive drone sector, reducing strategic dependencies. The Strategy also identifies areas for synergies between civil and defense drones and increased counter-drone capabilities and system resilience.

The EC will now launch work on the Strategy's 19 operational, technical and financial flagship actions to build the right regulatory and commercial environment for tomorrow's drone air space and market. This work will prepare the way for large-scale commercial operations and ensure that Europe benefits from synergies between the civil, security, and military use of drones and related technologies, including counter-drone solutions.