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    • Frontex and Bulgaria conclude drone pilot project, paving way for smarter EU border surveillance

    2025-07-31

    Frontex and the Bulgarian Border Police have successfully concluded a pilot project exploring how drones can support border surveillance across the EU. The project, which ran from May to July, tested advanced aerial technology to improve how Europe protects and manages its external borders.

    The operation covered 8 100 square kilometers and tested both long- and short-endurance drones equipped with high-tech surveillance and communication systems. The aim was to evaluate how unmanned aircraft can enhance situational awareness, support officers on the ground, and help detect cross-border crime more effectively.

    “We brought advanced technology into the field and tested it with real officers, in real operations. Technology alone doesn’t secure borders. People do, with the right tools. This project gave us both the insight and the experience we need to strengthen our day-to-day operations across Europe,"said Hans Leijtens, Frontex Executive Director. “We worked side by side with the Bulgarian authorities to bring advanced technology into real operations. The results speak for themselves.”

    This project shows how innovation can directly strengthen Europe’s ability to manage its borders. By combining smart technology with real operational experience, Frontex is helping to build a faster, more coordinated and more adaptable border management. In a time of shifting migration patterns and evolving security threats, flexible and intelligence-led solutions are essential. Projects like this help protect people, support Member States and reinforce public trust in how Europe safeguards its frontiers.

    The drones were operated under a company-owned, company-operated (COCO) model by three specialised providers: Global SAT, Shield AI and DAT CON. Their mission was to deliver full-service aerial surveillance, from take-off to data delivery. All equipment was designed to be mobile, easy to deploy and compatible with Frontex's standing operations.

    The pilot also demonstrated a key innovation: the ability to operate fully independently from fixed infrastructure. The mobile surveillance system integrated multiple data sources—including drone footage, infrared and daylight cameras, and inputs from smaller tactical drones—into a single operational picture using GIS tools. This allowed for real-time situational awareness to be shared securely with teams wherever needed.

    “The real breakthrough is that this situational awareness can be securely shared in real time, anywhere it’s needed,” said Zdravko Kolev, Head of Sector Innovation and Demonstration at Frontex. “What makes it unique is how seamlessly the technology works together to give teams on the ground a complete picture they can act on, quickly and securely.”

    Beyond the technology, the project focused on testing procedures and real-time coordination. It helped Frontex build a complete set of guidelines and lessons learned for integrating drones into everyday border missions. These outcomes will feed into Frontex’s broader plans to modernise border surveillance across the European border and coast guard community.

    In June, a live demonstration took place in Burgas, Bulgaria. More than 100 participants from Member States EU agencies and others attended the event. They observed the drone systems in action and discussed how to integrate them into current and future operations.

    “This pilot project shows what is possible when innovation meets operational needs,” said Darek Saunders, Head of Research and Innovation at Frontex. “We are not just testing drones. We are building a roadmap for smarter and more connected border management.”

    Background

    The Tactical UAS Pilot Project is part of Frontex’s wider innovation programme. By combining modern technology, high mobility and field-tested procedures, the agency is working to provide Member States with effective tools that are scalable, interoperable and rooted in European law and values.