The European Commission is stepping up its support for Member States’ counter-drone capabilities with an additional €130 million under the Border Management and Visa Instrument (BMVI), as announced at the Justice and Home Affairs Council on 1 October. This is part of the EU’s efforts to strengthen border surveillance and improve responses to emerging security threats.
The new funding comes on top of an initial allocation of €250 million as announced in December 2025 and a further €169 million made available earlier this year to fund surveillance drones and related equipment for use by Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and Member States. This brings the total funding available for surveillance and counter-drone technology under the Home Affairs funds to more than half a billion euro.
The funding will help Member States reinforce situational awareness, better protect external borders and address risks linked to unauthorised or hostile drone activity. It reflects the Commission’s wider objective of equipping national authorities with modern tools to strengthen the EU’s external borders and increase internal security.
It builds on Commission’s continuous action to strengthen the EU’s drone and counter-drone capabilities. In February, the Commission launched the EU Action Plan on Drone and Counter Drone Security protecting airspace and critical infrastructure from malicious drone threats, including the creation of a Counter-Drone Centre of Excellence to support innovation in counter-drone systems.
It also complements funding already available to Member States under the European Defence Fund to develop advanced drone and counter-drone technologies. Through Security Action for Europe (SAFE) programme, Member States also committed to jointly procure in drone and counter-drone systems.
