Drone Warfare in Today’s World: 15 Policy Recommendations to Improve the European Union’s Defense Capabilities

Policy Brief Summary

• This policy brief provides recommendations for the newly elected President of the European Commission and the newly appointed College of European Commissioners in November 2024. It emphasizes how the European Union might address the complex demands of modern defense. 
• The paper proposes 15 actionable recommendations that promote a proactive approach in policymaking, technological innovation, and international cooperation within EU defense strategies concerning unmanned aerial systems (UAS), commonly known as drones. 
• The European Union has a unique opportunity to lead in creating a more responsible world aligned with its values, while simultaneously ensuring the security of its citizens. By advocating for a framework that regulates drone usage within ethical boundaries, the EU can set a global example of how to balance technological innovation with the protection of human rights.

Policy Proposals

The European Union faces a significant security challenge with the new Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) used in warfare. This new threat requires a comprehensive and action-specific roadmap. In this paper we present 15 recommendations that the European Commission could enact to enhance European defense capabilities concerning new autonomous system technologies. These recommendations address role definition and governance, strategy and planning, budget and resources, and technology and innovation: 

1: Establish a clear mandate and specific competencies for the Commissioner of Defense

2: Establish working groups and integrate military attaches in embassies under the Defense Commissioner's authority to enhance coordination within the EU and with allied nations

3: Leverage EU defense diplomacy to promote global adoption of ethical standards for drone usage in military operations 

4: Strive for interoperability of military capabilities

5: Develop an integral drone policy for the EU

6: Prioritize the development of anti-drone technology 

7: Launch inter-country development projects for small drones, similar to the existing large drone projects like the Eurodrone 

8: Launch an EU common defense procurement program

9: Reach $2 billion in UAS Defense-related projects across the EU

10: Launch a 100 million inter-country C-UAS project with the EU budget, such as the European Anti-Drone Dome

11: Issue $500 million worth Defense Eurobonds to finance, among others, UAS and UAVs-specific project

12: Launch a comprehensive incentive program to mobilize private capital along with public expenditure, to maximize impact on UAS-related project investments

13: Incentivize innovation around UAS technologies support for startups and public-private partnerships 

14: Evolve the European Research Council to an international open research ecosystem including public officials, academia, private sector think tanks

15: Launch a dedicated research initiative on the impact of artificial intelligence on UAS technology. 

Read the full report here to explore proposal details and rationale. 

Statements and views expressed in this commentary are solely those of the authors and do not imply endorsement by Harvard University, the Harvard Kennedy School, or the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs.