European Commission seeks cellular-network drone detection solutions

The European Commission, the European Union's executive body, has launched a call for expression of interest to gather information from member states and private-sector partners on testing and deploying cellular-based dual-use drone detection capabilities. The initiative is meant to strengthen Europe's ability to detect, track and identify drones.

The solutions are to cover both connected drones, which use public or private telecommunications networks, and non-connected drones. The call also seeks to support the integration of these detection tools into wider counter-drone response systems.

Three possible areas

The call covers three possible areas:

• artificial intelligence-based detection of connected drones through telecommunications networks;
• cellular sensing to detect non-connected drones;
• integration of detection and tracking capabilities with command-and-control systems and suitable counter-drone effectors.

Who can take part

The Commission is inviting member states to submit proposals together with consortia of private entities, such as telecommunications suppliers, telecom operators or operators of critical infrastructure. Ukraine may also take part as a member of a consortium. The Commission welcomes both single-country and cross-border projects, which may also include Ukraine.

Depending on the outcome of this exercise, the Commission intends to explore whether to publish an official funding call to support pilots of cellular detection and counter-drone response capabilities across the Union.