In her speech on the state of the European Union, Ursula von der Leyen announced a “drone alliance with Ukraine.” Although the President of the European Commission did not specifically elaborate on what this alliance would look like, it can be assumed that it would involve expanding European production capacities for military drones.
The fact that the European Union intends to provide €6 billion to finance the “drone alliance with Ukraine” is a further sign of support for Ukraine, which is under attack. It is also a sign that Europe as a whole is arming itself against possible military threats and recognising the enormous importance of unmanned systems in this context.
At the same time, this can only be the beginning. Europe must finally kick into high gear when it comes to unmanned systems in order to hold its own in global competition in this future technology. Anyone who wants to remain economically, socially, and militarily independent and capable of action in the long term needs a powerful UAS/AAM industry. Creating the necessary framework conditions for this is a task of major interest for the entire European Union. Europe has no shortage of good ideas and innovative technologies. But all too often, there is still a lack of the necessary support to build industrial capacity and resilient European supply chains.
In addition to a clear commitment by the EU institutions and member states to the use of European drone technologies and easier access for the UAS/AAM industry to existing funding and financing instruments, it is therefore crucial to give the drone industry long-term planning security. This can be achieved through swift, pragmatic action and adequate consideration in the European Union's next Multiannual Financial Framework.