Land and even more sea, Frontex looking to equip itself with more drones to monitor asylum seekers from above

Brussels – More drones to better monitor from above the sea and a new system to control migration flows in the Mediterranean. The European Border and Coast Guard Agency Frontex is launching a tender to supply commanded aerial devices for operations related to its tasks and mandate. An 184,3 million euro tender to equip the agency with a a medium-altitude, long-endurance remotely piloted aerial system, with firms in the sector asked to submit bids no later than Sept. 2.

In addition, there is another tender for land border drones for joint operations with Bulgaria.  A ‘smaller’ order, worth three million euros, demonstrates Frontex’s intention to declare war on the irregular flow of asylum seekers through a more capillary control from above using new technologies.

The use of drones is nothing new for Frontex. However, the acceleration on this front can also be explained by the entry into force of the new EU pact on immigration, focusing heavily on outsourcing the phenomenon, meaning different management at the borders to prevent the crossing into European territory.

Frontex spells out its needs in the notices. They want aircraft capable of reaching a distance of more than 200 kilometers from the launch point, able to remain operational in the air for up to 12 hours with an average speed of 60 knots at an altitude between 2,500 feet and 4,500 feet. Each drone has to have spectrometers and optical sensors.

There is more than just the equipment. Whoever wins the contract must guarantee to send Frontex a liaison officer to a location determined by Frontex to plan the flight and mission, compile the report, liaise with the flight crew, and interpret sensor data. Frontex is serious about strengthening its ability to intercept human movements and stop them in advance: this is the new Europe in the face of immigration.