Unmanned Systems News
The latest news on unmanned systems, counter-UAS and the defence industry, from Europe and around the world.
Counter-drone at sea: French Navy trains during “Wildfire” on the Île du Levant
Six ships, four helicopters, 26 remotely controlled aerial targets: for a week, the fifth edition of “Wildfire” put the French Navy's counter-drone capabilities to the test. The exercise has grown considerably since 2022 – and is now regarded as particularly demanding.
Unmanned systems at “Repmus 2025”: Schiebel flies Camcopter S-100 in Portuguese Navy NATO exercise
Signals intelligence, AI anomaly detection and control directly from the Tacticos console: at “Repmus 2025”, Schiebel tested its Camcopter S-100 with several payloads. The focus: how unmanned systems can be integrated into modern combat management systems.
Counter-drone for Ukraine: Netherlands provides 200 million euros and agrees co-production
During his visit to Kyiv and Odesa, Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans pledged 200 million euros for counter-drone defence. In addition, there is an agreement on joint drone production and the new Dutch Defence Cluster at the embassy in Kyiv.
Interceptor drone Jäger: Quantum Systems shows Söder and Blume a drone with solid-fuel rocket motor
Four kilometres of altitude in 30 seconds, unit cost below 10,000 euros: during the Bavarian state government's visit to Gilching, Quantum Systems presented its new interceptor drone Jäger/Hunter for protecting critical infrastructure.
MQ-9B Sky Guardian: Belgian Armed Forces commission General Atomics drones at Florennes
Ceremony at Florennes Air Base: with the commissioning of the MQ-9B Sky Guardian, the new infrastructure for drone operations there also goes live – control stations, maintenance, training and command and control in one place.
Counter-drone in Denmark: 2.1 billion kroner for defence and surveillance capabilities
Around 281 million euros for counter-drone defence, 44 new infantry fighting vehicles instead of upgraded old ones, simulators for the navy and 16 more F-35s: Denmark is expanding its defence capabilities across the board.
Counter-drone for Russian soldiers: net launchers, shot charges and self-procured detectors
Nets fired from a pistol or an AK rifle cup, shot against FPV drones, warning devices from an online marketplace: what counter-drone equipment is offered to Russian contract soldiers – and what it costs.
Counter-drone: Drone Shield reports more than 4,000 systems delivered worldwide
Two new individual contracts from the US Department of Defense worth a combined 6.8 million euros take the Australian counter-drone provider past the 4,000-system mark. Portable counter-drone systems are being delivered.
Kizilelma combat drone: Bayraktar Kizilelma hits both targets in first live-fire weapons test
Baykar reports the first live-fire weapons test of its Kizilelma combat drone as a success: prototype PT-3 fired munitions from Aselsan and Roketsan at Tekirdağ. The aircraft is due to enter active service with the Turkish Armed Forces in 2026.
Kamikaze drones for Kosovo: Serbian President Vučić attacks Turkey
Turkey has delivered thousands of Skydagger kamikaze drones to Kosovo. Belgrade sees this as a breach of UN resolutions, and President Aleksandar Vučić speaks of dreams of reviving the Ottoman Empire.
Unmanned systems: the Netherlands calls on industry to join APOS drone offensive
With the APOS action plan, The Hague wants more unmanned systems to be developed and built in the Netherlands. Start-ups and other national companies can take part in the call for proposals until 29 October.
Loitering munition: Rheinmetall ramps up series production of the Hero family in Sardinia
Rheinmetall is building Hero loitering munition models in Musei and Domusnovas, Sardinia, in cooperation with UVision. The order backlog exceeds 200 million euros; the company also offers reconnaissance drones and counter-drone systems.
Drone test area over the North Sea: the Netherlands creates airspace for BVLOS flights
A permanent drone test area is to be established between Katwijk and the Port of Rotterdam, with operations starting from Unmanned Valley. State Secretary Gijs Tuinman has signed a cooperation agreement; first test flights are planned for the end of 2026.