Airbus has secured a $35 million framework contract from the European Maritime Safety Agency to deliver Flexrotor-based maritime surveillance services, supporting coast guard missions across the EU, Norway, and Iceland, with operations set to begin in 2026 and potentially continue for up to four years.
Airbus has secured a €30 million ($35 million) framework contract from the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to deliver remotely piloted aircraft system (RPAS) services using its Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system. The agreement aims to strengthen Europe’s maritime surveillance capabilities, with operational deployments scheduled to begin in 2026.
According to Airbus, the contract will support multi-role maritime surveillance missions for coast guard authorities, providing extended coastal coverage and long-endurance flight operations. Notably, this marks the first time the Flexrotor system will be flown in operational service within Europe.
Under the framework agreement, Airbus will provide a full turnkey RPAS service, centered on Flexrotor flight operations. The system will deliver real-time electro-optical, infrared, and radar data directly to the EMSA RPAS Data Centre, allowing national authorities to monitor missions live through a centralized platform.
EMSA stated that the Flexrotor services will support key coast guard tasks, including search and rescue, fisheries control, environmental monitoring, and the detection of illegal maritime activities. These capabilities are increasingly critical as European waters face growing challenges from irregular migration, pollution incidents, illegal fishing, and cross-border maritime crime.
The services will be available to national authorities of EU member states, as well as Norway and Iceland, with relevant EU institutions also granted access to the surveillance data. The contract allows for two simultaneous operational deployments from take-off sites in participating countries, with the option to expand operations if required by EMSA.
Initially awarded for two years, the framework contract includes options for two additional one-year extensions, potentially extending the service period to four years. Airbus confirmed that operations will be carried out by French service provider Extensee once service delivery begins in 2026.
The Flexrotor is a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions. With a maximum launch weight of 25 kilograms, the system can fly for more than 12 to 14 hours in standard configurations, while endurance for EMSA missions is expected to be around 10 hours.
Capable of carrying a variety of sensors, including electro-optical payloads and advanced mission-specific systems, the Flexrotor features autonomous launch and recovery and can operate from land or sea within a compact 3.7 by 3.7 meter footprint. Airbus highlights the platform as well-suited for maritime operations where endurance, rapid deployment, and minimal logistical support are essential.
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