European nations grapple with fragmented drone defence procurement amid security pressures
European governments are accelerating procurement of counter-drone technologies as security concerns intensify along the continent's eastern borders, exposing the challenges of navigating a fragmented supplier market and the need for streamlined acquisition processes.
The urgency has been underscored by drone incursions reported across Poland, Romania, Denmark, Norway and Germany, prompting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to propose a 'drone wall' – a multi-layered detection and interception system extending along the EU's eastern frontier.
"Europe must deliver a strong and united response to Russia's drone incursions at our borders," Ms von der Leyen said, though the proposal has sparked debate over whether capabilities should be coordinated at bloc level or managed by individual member states.
Debate over centralised versus national procurement
At a recent Copenhagen summit, European leaders backed enhanced regional drone defence capabilities, yet differences emerged over procurement structures. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson advocated for national management of anti-drone systems whilst supporting streamlined procurement rules.
"The EU is not a defence organisation," Mr Kristersson told Reuters. "Every country needs to build up these capabilities and then we need to cooperate very closely to be able to detect drones."
The UK has demonstrated rapid procurement can be achieved within existing national frameworks. The Ministry of Defence awarded a contract to Viking Arms for first-person view training drones, completing the process in 19 days and delivering 180 units to the British Army across three size categories.
Defence Procurement Minister Maria Eagle described the move as aligned with the government's strategy to increase investment in autonomous technology, stating it exemplified "our Government's new partnership with industry, delivering cutting-edge technology to our front line troops".
International partnerships and supply considerations
Ukraine is pursuing international procurement agreements to sustain its drone capabilities. Technical discussions between Kyiv's Ministry of Defence and US military officials have centred on a proposed 'Drone Deal' involving procurement of Ukrainian-manufactured drones and potential collaborative production arrangements.
The framework, announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, includes a five-year procurement plan and discussions on weapons deliveries through the Presidential Drawdown Authority mechanism, with particular focus on 2026 supply schedules.
Switzerland has instructed armasuisse, its federal defence procurement agency, to prioritise acquisition of counter-drone systems for military installations following successful testing. "Due to the increasing number of drone sightings," the government said, the army had directed expedited procurement of defences against micro and mini drones.
Market fragmentation poses procurement challenges
The drone technology market presents distinct difficulties for procurement professionals. The supplier landscape comprises thousands of specialised providers offering hardware, software and analytics solutions requiring complex integration.
Many government organisations lack internal expertise to draft precise technical specifications or evaluate sophisticated bids, compounding procurement complexity. The fast-evolving nature of drone technology, coupled with intricate regulatory frameworks and strategic risk considerations, demands enhanced technical knowledge and long-term planning from procurement teams.
As unmanned aerial systems increasingly influence defence and security strategies, efficient acquisition processes have emerged as an indicator of national preparedness. For Europe, the challenge extends beyond defending airspace to modernising the procurement infrastructure that underpins such defensive capabilities.