The European Union announced a series of measures on
Wednesday aimed at strengthening the control and oversight of drone use within
its territory, following reports from several countries over the past year of
unidentified drone sightings and unauthorized aerial operations near strategic
infrastructure.
Among the proposed actions is the reinforcement of mandatory
drone registration, with the goal of creating more accurate databases that will
allow for the rapid identification of operators and the tracking of any
suspicious activity. EU authorities believe that greater traceability will
facilitate the application of sanctions and improve incident prevention.
The creation or expansion of no-fly zones in sensitive
areas, such as energy facilities, airports, government buildings, and military
installations, is also planned. In these areas, drone flights would be strictly
restricted or prohibited in order to reduce risks to public safety and the
protection of critical infrastructure.
Another key aspect of the plan involves modernizing early
detection and response systems, including specialized radars, anti-drone
technologies, and coordination protocols between security forces and airport
authorities. The aim is to react more quickly to unidentified drones that could
pose a threat or cause disruptions.
The initiative follows a series of incidents that caused
concern in various European countries, where irregular flights were recorded
without a clear explanation, raising concerns about potential regulatory
shortcomings, the misuse of these technologies, and even risks of espionage and
sabotage.
With these measures, the EU seeks to balance the growth of
the drone sector—increasingly relevant for commercial and recreational
activities—with higher safety and control standards, in a context where
airspace has become more complex and vulnerable.