Airbus has signed a $35 million framework contract with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide maritime surveillance services using the Flexrotor drone.
The agreement provides for direct support to coast guard missions in European Union countries, as well as Norway and Iceland, with operations scheduled to begin in 2026 and a duration of up to four years.
The Flexrotor will be employed in tasks such as search and rescue, fisheries control, environmental protection, and the identification of illicit maritime activities. The aircraft will transmit electro-optical and infrared imagery as well as radar data in real time to the EMSA RPAS Data Center, allowing national authorities to monitor missions live through a centralized system.
Designed for operations in demanding maritime environments, the Flexrotor is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) drone with a maximum weight of 25 kg and endurance of up to 10 hours in the configuration adopted by EMSA.
According to Airbus, the platform stands out for its flexibility, long flight endurance, and ability to operate both on land and at sea, even with minimal infrastructure.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @AirbusPRESS | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
European Maritime Safety Agency selects Airbus Flexrotor drone for maritime surveillance missions
Read the press release: LINK pic.twitter.com/IeGlKlCZtl— Airbus Newsroom (@AirbusPRESS) December 17, 2025
