Airbus has secured a major European maritime surveillance contract after the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) selected the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system under a new EU-wide framework agreement. The decision marks the first operational deployment of the Flexrotor in Europe and reflects growing pressure on European coast guards to monitor expansive maritime zones affected by irregular migration, illegal fishing, pollution incidents, and organized maritime crime. By centralizing drone-based surveillance services at the EMSA level, the European Union aims to provide member states with a shared, real-time situational awareness capability across their maritime approaches.
The €30 million framework contract, which includes a two-year base period with options for two additional one-year extensions, will see Airbus deliver Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS) services using the Flexrotor platform. Operations are scheduled to begin in 2026 and will be conducted by French service provider Extensee. The service package includes real-time electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) and radar data, transmitted to the EMSA RPAS Data Centre, allowing national coast guards and EU authorities to follow missions live. The services will be accessible to EU member states, as well as Norway and Iceland, with provisions for simultaneous deployments from multiple launch sites and scalable detachments based on operational demand.
The Flexrotor VTOL UAV, classified as a Group 2 tactical uncrewed system, is optimized for maritime intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions. With a maximum take-off weight of 25 kg and a payload capacity of up to 8 kg, the aircraft can remain airborne for up to 14 hours, depending on configuration. A key advantage for maritime users is its ability to autonomously launch and recover from land or sea using a compact footprint, enabling operations from small vessels, ports, or austere coastal locations. Designed to support a wide range of sensor payloads, the Flexrotor is positioned as a flexible, rapidly deployable asset to enhance Europe’s maritime safety and security architecture.
