On 28 November 2022, the European commission, DG for Migration and Home Affairs, Directorate D – Internal Security, Unit D2: Counter-Terrorism, held a hybrid workshop with representatives from Member States to discuss the non-cooperative use of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. The workshop involved the European Commission, various EU Agencies, EU-funded projects, EU law enforcement networks, as well as international organizations and partners from third countries.
The primary objective of the workshop was to take stock of recent, ongoing and anticipated activities by the EU, Member States, international partners, and third countries, while also discussing areas where further action is needed to support Member State efforts in this field.
This workshop is a follow-up to previous meetings on this topic organized by the Commission in the past 3 years. Given the wide range of risks that UAS potentially pose, an equally wide range of competent EU Member State authorities attended the event. These included law enforcement, aviation safety/security, critical infrastructure resilience, correctional facilities, customs and border protection, and dignitary/VIP protection.
With the increasing use of drones for both commercial and recreational purposes, the EU recognizes the need to address the potential risks associated with their non-cooperative use. This workshop served as a valuable opportunity for representatives from Member States to come together to share their experiences, strategies and work towards creating a safer and more secure environment for all.
DroneWISE project co-ordinator Dr Holger Nitsch from University of Applied Sciences for Public Service in Bavaria (Germany) and project partner representative Mrs. Jelena Levak, from SME RiniGARD (Croatia) gave the participants of the workshop a short introduction to the overall DroneWISE project, as well as a full live demonstration of how the DroneWISE Training Portal works, including its overall content and how to access the Portal. This allowed participants to gain a better understanding of the DroneWISE project and its potential impact on countering the risks posed by drones.
It’s worth mentioning that the DroneWISE project was the only EU-funded project showcased that day, highlighting its significance in addressing the challenges posed by the non-cooperative use of unmanned aircraft systems.