From The Straits Times · · 1m 50s
Europe gives utilities drone-stopping powers
Europe grants infrastructure firms drone defense authority amid rising threats.
In brief
Europe grants infrastructure firms drone defense authority amid rising threats. European countries are expanding utilities' and infrastructure companies' authority to shoot down drones to counter hybrid attacks following Ukraine war drone incursions. Originally reported by The Straits Times.
Drones test defenses in France
Teams at Brétigny-sur-Orge test systems to stop drones since Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022.
“It is a theoretical, and increasingly a practical, possibility that there could be heating outages this winter due to hybrid attacks”
Private firms seek drone defense powers
Utilities and state entities across Europe want stronger defenses, with some asking to shoot drones down themselves.
France expands drone defense laws
France passed a law in August allowing critical infrastructure operators to detect, jam and shoot down drones near facilities.
“We were defenceless in the face of the (drone) threat”
France targets 2027 defense timeline
France aims to equip 2027 with a new list of sensitive sites deemed vital for critical infrastructure.
Systematic Paris-Region tests counter-drone systems
Systematic Paris-Region has catalogued three systems integrators and 17 counter-drone systems for testing.
Germany reviews counter-drone authority
Germany is reviewing legal involvement of critical infrastructure operators in active counter-drone measures.
Austria plans drone defense powers
Austria announced plans to give critical infrastructure operators similar powers to those in France.
“The state could not protect every site on its own”
Poland deploys drone defense zones
Poland has established drone-restricted zones around critical energy infrastructure and authorized security units to destroy drones.
Legal uncertainty hinders drone defense
Operators worry about liability and accountability for injuries or property damage from drone strikes.
“Without that certainty, they said, operators of critical infrastructure could remain reluctant to neutralise drones”
Germany's E.ON prepares for drone attacks
German energy firm E.ON operates 2,720 substations and assumes some drone attacks will succeed.
Lithuania builds drone defense
Lithuania is constructing a fortified substation near its border with Russia to improve energy grid defenses.
Poland's PSE patrols high-voltage network
Poland's state-owned transmission operator PSE patrols its 16,500-km high-voltage network by helicopter.
At a glance
European countries are expanding utilities' and infrastructure companies' authority to shoot down drones to counter hybrid attacks following Ukraine war drone incursions.
