The timing of the conference could hardly be more relevant. The European Commission is currently reviewing EU drone rules, with a focus on simplification, competitiveness and safety, while drone sightings and incidents around critical infrastructure are increasingly becoming part of Europe’s security reality. The EU’s Drone and Counter-Drone Security Action Plan places stronger preparedness, clearer legal frameworks and closer public-private cooperation high on the agenda. At the same time, countries such as France and Estonia are developing frameworks that give private security a greater role in counter-drone protection under narrowly defined conditions and strict quality-control requirements.

CoESS Deputy Director General Alexander Frank will present the latest developments at EU level and discuss how simpler and more proportionate rules can support the uptake of drones in private security services, as well as how the role of private security in C-UAS is evolving across Europe.

“I look forward to joining BDSW and Security Essen again for the second edition of the European Drone Congress. The timing could hardly be more relevant: Europe needs to enable the responsible use of drones while at the same time strengthening its ability to protect critical infrastructure against malicious drone activity. I look forward to discussing what this means in practice for the European drone and security community in Essen.”