Problems due to overprints drones They are a challenge for European airports and beyond. How can they be shielded against the new threat? Lately Europe’s more and more airports have been experiencing problems with violations of their airspace by drones. Especially in Denmark Drone overflows have obtained the airport operation in Copenhagen, Elborg, Esbieg, Sonderburg and Skrintstrop – the latter, like Olborg, are also used by the Royal Air Force of Danish.

Danish Defense Minister Trules Lund Polesen said in a press conference that “everything is showing that this is a professionals”, adding that “it certainly does not seem to coincide. The problem seems systematic. ” Justice Minister Peter Hummelgord added that no scenario could be ruled out on the identity of the perpetrators.

Although there are no clear evidence of Russian involvement, recent violations of airspace of states by Russian drones in Eastern Europe have mobilized NATO, with Secretary -General Mark Rutte announcing the launch of the new Eastern Sentry business.

Problem Easy access to drones

Various armies around the world have been using unmanned aerial volatizes in the 1970s. And in today’s times, drones are crucial for the Armed Forces, as has been shown in recent years in the Russian -Ukraine War. However, as Richard Gil, founder and chief executive of Drone Defense, explains, has not only made rapid progress in the technologies, but at the same time it has become much easier to access drones.

“It is now much easier to acquire and use drones,” Gil tells DW. “And their price is constantly falling. Today one can make things in his backyard that required advanced military capabilities 10 or 15 years ago. “

All of this is a serious problem – including – for airports, which must be under strict control of their airspace. “Drone overflows over airports lead to suspension of air traffic,” said Yoka Svasinen of the European Center for Excellence for Hybrid Coe. “There is no tolerance for the risk of flight safety.”

Therefore, in addition to cases where a drone operator deliberately seeks to cause problems at an airport, even someone who simply does his hobby can accidentally deviate from his course – and thus cause postponements and cancellations.

Complicated Case The Discard of Drones

Obviously, security services are able to break down drones. But it is often impossible to distinguish from a distance if a drone is military or entertaining – and eventually lost in the field of vision before it is found whether it is really a threat or not.

At the same time, “it is not easy to achieve a drone with missiles, so you have to drop too much to have a satisfactory chances of success,” Svasinen explains. And then, “even if you succeed, most of the missiles fall to the ground after throwing. That is why it is not recommended to drop drones [που πετούν] in densely populated areas, unless the drone is considered a direct and dangerous threat. “

Thus, the risks of side losses – combined with costs – make it almost impossible. At the same time, as Gil adds, due to the speed at which drones technology is evolving, the legislation is left behind, leaving the airports vulnerable to such problems.

“Not all airports have a tracking systems that can understand exactly what is happening. We usually rely on people on the ground, security personnel or employees who report that they have seen something. And then what are you doing? If you want to break the drone for example, who will do it? “Gil wonders. Political airports have no legal right to dismiss drones.

What are there?

Unlike military bases, purely political airports – especially smaller ones – have limited means, especially in preventing drones from entering their airspace. That is why the suspension of the Air Force activity is often the first reaction once a drone is found.

At the same time, although more defense technologies are constantly developing against drones, upgrading the relevant systems is costly and requires constant updating.

Ryanair CEO Michael O’Leero has proposed to cover the costs of the competent government. “This is a matter of national security. It is not something you have to ask for the airports to take over, “he says.

The EU seems to be some degree to agree. European Commission President Ursula von der Laieni said recently that Europe should “build a wall for drones” in order to limit the relevant violations.

As part of the “Eastern Flank Watch” initiative Poland, Finland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will cooperate with a common goal of defensive strengthening the eastern border of the Union. Although no more details have been made known about the program, it is reportedly much more economical than today’s anti -aircraft defense systems designed to deal with traditional manned aircraft and rockets.

Curated by: George Passas