Europe forms a 'drone club' to develop unmanned aircraft to rival the US and Israel's military technology



The European Defence Agency will start developing the technology

It is feared Europe is falling behind in an area key in the future

Experts believe the days of piloted fighter aircraft are numbered

France, Germany and other European countries have formed a 'drone users club' to develop a rival to the U.S. and Israeli pilotless aircraft that dominate the field.



French Defense Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said the European Defence Agency has been tasked with drawing up a list of military requirements.

Its ultimate goal is to create a 'European generation' of drones within 10 years.



An experimental unmanned aircraft being tested. European countries have formed a 'drone users club' to develop a rival to the U.S. and Israeli pilotless aircraft Some Europeans fear they are falling behind in an area that may determine military aviation's future. Many aerospace experts believe the days of piloted fighter aircraft are numbered.

In June, three major European defense contractors - pan-European EADS, Italy's Finmeccanica and France's Dassault - called for a concerted effort by Europe to catch up.

What Le Drian called a 'club' is open to any European Union nation that operates drones or intends to within five years.

The group was established at a meeting of European Union defence ministers in Brussels. France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands, Poland and Spain joined, the European Defence Agency said in an announcement.

Research: An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) used for aerial surveillance is flying in the air

Three major European defense contractors - pan-European EADS, Italy's Finmeccanica and France's Dassault - called for a concerted effort by Europe to catch up with the U.S. on drone technology

French defence minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, centre, speaks with journalists as he arrives for a meeting of EU foreign and defence ministers

During its intervention this year against Islamists in Mali, France relied on U.S. drones as well as refueling planes.

Germany already uses unarmed drones, including the Israeli-built Heron 1 model, for reconnaissance purposes in places such as Afghanistan.



Last summer, German Defense Minister Thomas de Maiziere said his country would work with France to develop a new generation of armed aerial vehicles.

'We have a gap in our capabilities that we would like to close,' he said.

