Frontex to Purchase Drones for Border Control

In response to increasing calls from member states for enhanced border security, the European Union's border agency, Frontex, has initiated tenders worth approximately €400 million aimed at bolstering surveillance capabilities. Home Affairs Commissioner Ylva Johansson has committed to tightening the EU's visa regime and has announced a €150 million initiative to improve border surveillance. This move follows requests from member states earlier this year to externalize migration efforts and prevent irregular migrants from entering EU territory. The tenders launched by Frontex include significant investments in various surveillance technologies, such as a €184 million allocation for drones and maritime surveillance services, €19 million for night vision equipment, and €186.5 million for Information and Communication Technology (ICT) services. Additionally, a €3 million pilot project for drone operations at land borders in collaboration with Bulgaria has been proposed. These efforts are part of a broader strategy to enhance the EU's external border management. Frontex has been utilizing drones since 2018, with their operations contributing to the detection of nearly 5,000 individuals at sea that year. However, the agency's drone usage has faced scrutiny, particularly after intelligence gathered by drones in Malta was reportedly used by Libyan authorities to intercept migrant boats. Frontex emphasizes the importance of early detection of individuals in distress at sea, suggesting that increased drone surveillance could reduce the need for coastguard and Frontex vessels. While the implications of drone surveillance on migration strategies remain debated, experts acknowledge the challenges of managing refugee flows once individuals reach land. The ongoing developments highlight the EU's complex approach to migration and border control in an increasingly challenging geopolitical landscape.