Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-000420/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Özlem Demirel (The Left)
Frontex has signed a new 184-million-euro framework contract for long-range drones, under which it has renewed a contract with Airbus to operate Heron 1 (from Israeli defence contractor IAI) in the Mediterranean. Bids under the tender were ranked. The company Leonardo also succeeded in the tender; in December, both bidders were invited to Frontex for a signing ceremony.
- 1.As things stand, in what areas are the long-range drones to be deployed, and which governments have agreed to host them?
- 2.What contribution is the company Leonardo expected to make, i.e. under what circumstances is it to receive active, specific assignments if Airbus fails to render the requested services?
- 3.Aside from the technology specified in award decision OJ S 12/2025 of 17 January 2025, are there plans for the drones to also be equipped with a signals intelligence system (COMINT) to enable telephone locating too, or is this optional for the bidders?
Submitted: 30.1.2025
Last updated: 7 February 2025