Terrorist organisations and individual extremists worldwide have quickly adopted consumer-grade drones due to their affordability and adaptability
The first-ever European Union (EU)-India Track 1.5 dialogue is going to take place in New Delhi on February 8, 2024. The focus of this day-long roundtable will be on countering the misuse of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) by extremists and non-state actors.
The aim of the discussion is to better understand the various threats posed by consumer-grade UAS technology and to find ways to regulate, respond tactically, and investigate to mitigate these risks. Commercial UAS technology has rapidly developed and become accessible, allowing violent extremists to use these devices for purposes such as reconnaissance and violent attacks.
This initiative builds on previous activities under the EU project Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA), which included training sessions on managing risks related to chemicals, biological agents, radiological materials, and nuclear threats for Indian security personnel.
EU Ambassador to India, Hervé Delphin, emphasised the hybrid nature of modern security threats and highlighted the potential misuse of commercial drones to carry weapons or explosives. He stressed the importance of sharing knowledge and cooperating between the EU and India to address evolving drone threats.
Terrorist organisations and individual extremists worldwide have quickly adopted consumer-grade drones due to their affordability and adaptability.
Given the constantly evolving nature of drone technologies, ongoing assessments of threats and strategies for mitigation are crucial, requiring collaboration and information sharing among stakeholders.
The roundtable is organised by the ESIWA project in collaboration with the National Security Guard of India and the EU Delegation to India, demonstrating the Team Europe approach. Experts from entities such as the EU’s Directorate General of Migration and Home Affairs (DG Home), Spain’s Ministry of the Interior, Hungary’s national police (Rendőrség), and the United Nations Office of Counter-Terrorism (UNOCCT) will contribute their insights.
This dialogue highlights the shared commitment of the EU and India to intensify cooperation in addressing security challenges, particularly in the realm of unmanned aerial system threats.
