The European Commission opened an expression-of-interest process on 11 November 2026 to explore detecting drones through mobile telecommunications networks. Its announcement on 12 November covers both connected and unconnected aircraft and ways of linking detection to wider counter-drone systems. Submissions close on 28 February 2027. This is a request for project ideas, not an awarded grant programme or a decision to deploy surveillance across Europe.
Key facts
- The invitation opened on 11 November 2026 and closes on 28 February 2027.
- EU Member States are asked to work with private-sector consortia, with proposals limited to 15 pages.
- Three areas are under consideration: AI analysis of connected drones, cellular sensing of unconnected ones, and integration with command and response systems.
- A formal funding call for pilots is only a possible next step after the expressions of interest have been examined.
How mobile networks could help find drones
One part of the proposal concerns drones that use public or private telecommunications networks themselves. Their communications, combined with AI-based analysis, may help detection and tracking. The second strand is more experimental: so-called cellular sensing would try to detect even drones that are not connected to a mobile network. It involves examining whether signals in cellular infrastructure can reveal airborne objects. The Commission has not claimed that such technology already works reliably everywhere.
The third strand concerns connecting the results to command-and-control systems and suitable counter-drone responses. Detecting an object, determining whether it is an authorised drone and deciding on a lawful response are distinct tasks. Integrating information from different sensors and operators is therefore central to the invitation, rather than merely buying a new device.
The official consultation page addresses public authorities in EU Member States. They may team up with telecommunications equipment suppliers, mobile operators and critical-infrastructure operators. Both national and cross-border proposals are welcome, while Ukraine can join a consortium. Interested Member State authorities are invited to submit a document of up to 15 pages by email. The invitation is not a direct grant application open to anyone who wishes to purchase detection equipment.
How this fits the existing EU plan
The initiative follows the EU Action Plan on Drone and Counter Drone Security, published in February 2026. That plan separates preparedness, detection, coordinated responses and defence readiness. Its detection section already envisaged testing cellular methods, including the use of 5G antennas as radar-like sensors. The new invitation puts that earlier proposal into a practical information-gathering stage. It does not create a new legal obligation for network operators.
The Commission points to disruptions at airports, risks to critical infrastructure and borders, and threats to transport hubs, public spaces and maritime activity. Member States continue to have primary responsibility for many counter-drone responses. The proposed European role is to help build compatible capabilities and better shared awareness, not to announce a centrally operated detection network today. The term dual use reflects potential civilian security and defence applications, not evidence of completed military deployments.
The broader action plan also mentions a separate €250 million call relating to land and maritime border surveillance. That figure is not a budget allocation for the cellular-detection expression of interest. Likewise, proposed command-and-control links should not be read as permission to interfere with any aircraft regardless of national law.
What happens after the deadline
After 28 February 2027, the Commission can evaluate submissions and consider issuing a formal funding call for pilot deployments. It has not announced grant recipients, a programme-wide funding amount or a timetable for operational roll-out as part of this invitation.
The Brussels Times covered the announcement on 12 November, identifying the same three technical strands and the possible involvement of Ukraine. That reporting largely reflects the Commission's statement, rather than independent field-test evidence. Accuracy, interoperability, data handling and operational authority are questions that future trials would need to address. The confirmed change today is the opportunity for governments and partners to put forward proposals, not the deployment of a continent-wide drone detection service.
