# Europe gives utilities drone-stopping powers

> Europe grants infrastructure firms drone defense authority amid rising threats.
- Title: Europe gives utilities drone-stopping powers | Shortify
- Summary: Europe grants infrastructure firms drone defense authority amid rising threats. European countries are expanding utilities' and infrastructure companies'…
- Keywords: europe, drone defense, critical infrastructure, hybrid attacks, ukraine war, drone incursions, counter-drone systems, utilities, infrastructure companies, drone threats, news, world
- Source: The Straits Times — https://straitstimes.com/world/europe/europe-weighs-giving-utilities-infrastructure-companies-more-powers-to-bring-down-drones
- Published: 2026-10-21T06:06:21+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: europe, drone defense, critical infrastructure, hybrid attacks, ukraine war, drone incursions, counter-drone systems, utilities, infrastructure companies, drone threats, news, world
## 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.
## Key takeaway

European countries are expanding utilities' and infrastructure companies' authority to shoot down drones to counter hybrid attacks following Ukraine war drone incursions.