Air system · MALE
Eurodrone (MALE RPAS)
ISR / SIGINT / Strike
Also known as: Eurodrone / MALE RPAS / European Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance RPAS
Eurodrone (MALE RPAS) overview
The Eurodrone (officially the Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System, or MALE RPAS) is a large unmanned aerial vehicle being developed by a European consortium led by Airbus Defence and Space, in partnership with Dassault Aviation and Leonardo. The program was formally launched in 2018 by Germany, France, Italy, and Spain to provide Europe with a sovereign MALE drone capability, reducing dependence on American and Israeli systems. The Eurodrone is designed with a twin-engine configuration, wingspan of approximately 26 meters, and endurance exceeding 30 hours.
The Eurodrone will be certified for operations in European civil and military airspace from the outset, addressing one of the key limitations of existing non-European systems. As of 2025, the program is in the development phase with first flight anticipated in the late 2020s and initial operational capability planned for the early 2030s. The project has faced challenges including cost increases, technical complexity, and interoperability requirements among the partner nations. Its significance lies in representing Europe's strategic commitment to developing indigenous defense drone capability, though delays have highlighted the challenges of multinational defense programs.
Armament
Precision guided munitions (planned)
Development and operational timeline
- Germany, France, Italy, Spain sign Eurodrone development agreement
- OCCAR awards €7.1 billion development contract to Airbus-led team
- Preliminary design review completed
- Critical design review phase initiated
- Eurodrone development continues toward late-2020s first flight