Airbus has signed a $35 million framework agreement with the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide maritime surveillance services using the Flexrotor drone.
The agreement provides direct support for coast guard tasks in the member states of the European Union, as well as Norway and Iceland, with the planned start of operations in 2026 and a duration of up to four years.
The Flexrotor will be used for tasks such as search and rescue, fisheries control, environmental protection and the identification of illegal maritime activities. The aircraft transmit electro-optical and infrared images and radar data in real time to EMSA’s RPAS data center, allowing national authorities to monitor missions live through a centralized system.
Designed to operate in demanding marine environments, the Flexrotor is a vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) drone with a maximum weight of 25 kg and an operating time of up to 10 hours in the configuration used by EMSA.
According to Airbus, the platform stands out for its flexibility, long flight time and ability to operate both on land and at sea with minimal infrastructure.
Source: Defence Blog | Photo: X @AirbusPRESS | This content is generated with the help of artificial intelligence and verified by the editors
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
