EC boosts EU countries’ drone, counter-drone capabilities with 130M euro top-up

The European Commission (EC) said in a statement on October 5 that it is stepping up its support for EU member states’ counter-drone capabilities with an additional 130 million euro under the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI).

This is part of the EU’s efforts to strengthen border surveillance and improve responses to emerging security threats, the EC said.

The new funding comes on top of an initial allocation of 250 million euro as announced in December 2025 and a further 169 million euro made available earlier this year to fund surveillance drones and related equipment for use by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and EU member states.

This brings the total funding available for surveillance and counter-drone technology under the Home Affairs funds to more than half a billion euro.

The funding will help member states reinforce situational awareness, better protect external borders and address risks linked to unauthorised or hostile drone activity, the EC said.

It said that it reflects the Commission’s wider objective of equipping national authorities with modern tools to strengthen the EU’s external borders and increase internal security.

It builds on Commission’s continuous action to strengthen the EU’s drone and counter-drone capabilities, the statement said.

In February, the Commission launched the EU Action Plan on Drone and Counter Drone Security protecting airspace and critical infrastructure from malicious drone threats, including the creation of a Counter-Drone Centre of Excellence to support innovation in counter-drone systems.

It also complements funding already available to member states under the European Defence Fund to develop advanced drone and counter-drone technologies, the EC said.

Through Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, EU member states also committed to jointly procure in drone and counter-drone systems.

(Archive photo: Bulgaria’s Ministry of Defence)