The European Maritime Safety Agency has selected Airbus’ Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system to support EU-wide maritime surveillance operations under a new framework contract, signaling a shift toward routine drone use in coast guard missions. This marks the Flexrotor’s first operational use in Europe and reflects increasing demand for persistent aerial monitoring as European maritime authorities confront challenges such as illegal migration, environmental threats, fisheries violations, and transnational crime. The initiative reinforces the EU’s strategy of pooling advanced surveillance assets to improve coordination and situational awareness across national boundaries.
Under the agreement, valued at €30 million, Airbus will provide Flexrotor-based RPAS services for a period of up to four years, including optional extensions beyond the initial two-year term. Beginning in 2026, operations will be delivered by Extensee and will supply live EO/IR imagery and radar data to EMSA’s centralized RPAS Data Centre. This setup allows coast guard agencies and EU institutions to monitor missions in real time, supporting search and rescue, environmental protection, fisheries enforcement, and maritime law enforcement. The framework also allows for parallel deployments and expanded detachments, offering flexibility to respond to regional operational needs.
Technically, the Flexrotor VTOL drone combines long endurance with minimal infrastructure requirements, making it well suited for maritime environments. Powered by a compact two-stroke engine, the UAV can operate for approximately 10 hours in EMSA’s sensor configuration and launch or recover autonomously from confined spaces at sea or ashore. Its payload-agnostic design enables integration of multiple sensor types, ensuring adaptability across mission sets. With rapid deployment timelines and the ability to operate from ships without flight decks, the Flexrotor strengthens Europe’s move toward persistent, cost-effective maritime surveillance using tactical uncrewed systems.
