After having been accused of all evils, the MALE Eurodrone Medium Altitude Long Endurance drone program, which brings together Germany, Spain, France and Italy, seems to be seeing the end of the tunnel. Indeed, according to the cabinet of the Ministry of the Armed Forces, the program should lead to a signature by the end of the year, to order 21 systems of 3 drones each, for an amount that would be close to the set target of 7,1 billion euros. The Eurodrone is expected to make its first flight by 2024, and the first system will be delivered to Germany in 2027, with France receiving its first system in 2028.
This is undoubtedly excellent news, both for the European armies and for the defense aeronautics industry, so as not to be too far behind by the American or Chinese industry in the strategic field of combat drones. In addition, this will allow Europeans to implement their drones without having to refer them to the United States, as is the case today for the MQ9 Reaper drones, whose operational use remains subject to authorization from Washington. Finally, this will allow the European defense aeronautics companies participating in the program, Airbus Defense & Space for Germany and Spain, Leonardo for Italy and Dassault Aviation for France, to acquire a significant return of experience on their own. implementation of these systems ensuring both surveillance and targeted strikes if necessary.
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