Unmanned systems for maritime security

It hardly needs the confirmation from the Ukraine war to demonstrate the ever-growing importance of unmanned underwater, surface and airborne systems for maritime security.

Camcopters are currently being used by Denmark, Iceland and Romania, among others, for maritime and border surveillance, supported by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA). The US Navy is testing a SeaGuardian drone with electronic and communication sensors during its major exercise Rimpac 2022. The US 7th and 5th fleets are rehearsing the use of unmanned systems in exercises with allied partners. The Royal Air Force reports successful trials with drones to saturate enemy air defences and Israel reports the use of underwater quadcopters. Meanwhile, in June 2022, marineforum reports on the German Navy's failed attempts to procure unmanned aerial vehicles for use on corvettes.