Airbus company, general contractor of pan-European Eurodrone project, has positive view on this project’s further development, and this despite France as one of program participants, and which Airbus effectively represents, has long openly demonstrated indifference to this project.
We are conducting constructive negotiations with Eurodrone partner countries regarding program’s next stages, one Airbus Defence and Space representative commented on project development to Janes, emphasizing Eurodrone program discussions will remain confidential.
This contrasts very much with France, which was one of this project’s founding countries, in which three other countries also participate — Germany, Italy and Spain, in its 2024-2030 military planning law acknowledging Eurodrone does not meet French military modern needs. Instead, the country has plans to focus on other projects.
This step effectively became unofficial acknowledgment that France definitively exits Eurodrone project — rumors about this spread from early this year, while last year clear signals repeatedly came that French are interested in other projects’ development — for example, back in February 2025 decision was made to redirect part of funds from pan-European drone to own Aarok development.
Which, although also by class is Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) aircraft, is instead more than twice lighter with 5.5 ton maximum mass and capability to carry 1.5 tons weapons versus 13 tons for Eurodrone, which can carry 2.3 tons weapons.
Currently unknown how much funds France invested in this project versus how much went by. At the same time, over that year during which French essentially already openly ignore the project, primarily financially, other participants could find additional financing.
Additionally, last year India joined Eurodrone project as observer. However, unknown whether this country retains plans for real participation in this program.
With all that, explaining Airbus optimism regarding Eurodrone project today is quite difficult — as over 10 years development, participants only last year closely approached beginning prototype creation, completing critical design review stage.
Eurodrone development idea was to create Europe’s own MALE-class drone and reduce dependence on U.S. primarily regarding export restrictions and so on.
Despite the fact that directly on battlefield such large drones like Eurodrone today are very vulnerable to air defense systems, however such unmanned system can be useful and effective for conducting territory patrol and monitoring.
Previously, Defense Express reported that more drones for Armed Forces for €248 million will be produced both in Ukraine and Netherlands, which follow Germany’s example.
Read more: Ukrainian Drones Destroy russian TOS-1A Solntsepyok System in Zaporizhzhia (Video)
