UAVs and UCAVs : developments in the European Union

The purpose of this study is to provide a short overview of current developments in EU member states in relation to Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicles (UCAVs). Although UAVs have been deployed by several armed forces since the 1960s, they have experienced a renaissance in the past 20 years. Interest in their acquisition has greatly increased at the same time as the relevant technology has developed. Today UAVs are seen as an integral and indispensable part of modern armed forces.