On 15 and 16 April 2026, Belgium took part in the ECGFF–Frontex workshop “Advancing EU Maritime Drone Capabilities” in Warsaw.
Understanding what is happening at sea is a prerequisite for effective response. Drones, in all their forms, provide significant added value to maritime situational awareness. The European agencies for border control (FRONTEX), maritime safety (EMSA) and fisheries control (EFCA) offer substantial support to test and deploy these systems.
The debate on drones is not merely technological; it mainly revolves around safety, interoperability and readiness. Unmanned systems are regarded as a complement to existing assets rather than a replacement for human action. Cost‑effectiveness assessments must be carried out each time; in this respect, the use of drones is not always the best option.
Aerial drones (UAVs) are now well established within many coast guard authorities and have reached a certain level of maturity, although integration into command and control structures and national legislation remain points of attention. Underwater drones (UUVs) are advancing rapidly, while the operational use of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) is still clearly lagging behind. Given that most coast guard activities take place at sea, this may seem illogical, but surveillance is often conducted from a different vantage point than where the activity itself occurs.
FRONTEX referred to a Romanian pilot project as successful, in which teams are composed in a mixed manner within the context of multipurpose maritime operations. The operational unit partly consists of European coast guard operators trained at the Coast Guard Academy and partly of members seconded from national organisations. Tactical command and the deployment of vessels remain under Romanian control.
Practical examples from Italy, Portugal, France, Norway and Iceland demonstrated that joint exercises and pilot projects help to make new technologies operationally deployable more quickly and more safely.
The Belgian Coast Guard delegation consisted of Olivier Huygens (Marine and River Police), Filip Reinquin (Customs and Excise) and Eefje Deweer (Coast Guard).
