Use of drones by EU agencies

26.7.2019

Question for written answer E-002454-19
to the Commission
Rule 138
Özlem Demirel (GUE/NGL)

EU border and coast guard agencies operate a variety of drones to carry out surveillance in the Mediterranean: Frontex uses Heron and Falco unmanned aerial vehicles from the Israeli arms concern IAI and Leonardo in Italy respectively; the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) operates the Hermes 900 by Elbit Systems. At the Paris Air Show, that Israeli company announced that it was offering EU Member States a drone patrol service under a contract between EMSA and the Portuguese firm CEiiA.

Which EU agencies are currently using drones on a trial basis or for research and testing purposes, and what drones are in the meantime being operated by them on a regular basis?

Are EU agencies planning to purchase further drones, or have they decided to do so, and when are those drones intended to become operational?

Which EU Member States are making use of the EMSA drone patrol service, and which governments have signalled an interest in doing so?