Answer given by Ms Vălean on behalf of the European Commission

3.6.2022

In 2021 the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) was requested to provide the Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) services to the EU Member States as per the table attached in the Annex I.

Manufacturers of the radar sensors, telephone recognition devices and life rafts for the EMSA’s new long-range drones are listed in the table attached in the Annex II.

The new EMSA long-range drones contracted in 2021 with the consortium REACT (AR5 evolution) and Nordic Unmanned/ Algard Handel og Industri AS (Aerosonde Mk4.7) have not yet been deployed in operations. Capability tests have been completed positively and preparatory phases are undergoing for deployment in countries that have requested the service, but at 28 April 2022 no service deployment had yet started.

Services with these long-range capabilities have been requested by Italy, France, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and the European Fisheries Control Agency (EFCA) from Cyprus. The deployment of Nordic Unmanned in Finland and of REACT AR5 in Italy are tentatively planned for May 2022.

See annex : Annex