UAV & Drones
Airbus Secures €30 Million EMSA Contract for Flexrotor Maritime Surveillance
Airbus won a €30M EMSA contract for Flexrotor drone maritime surveillance starting 2026, operated by Extensee across Europe.
This article is based on an official press release from Airbus and verified market data regarding the contract award.
Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a significant framework contract by the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA) to provide maritime surveillance services using the Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS). Announced on December 17, 2025, the agreement marks the first operational deployment of the Flexrotor in Europe following Airbus’s strategic acquisition of the drone’s developer, Aerovel, in 2024.
According to financial details released alongside the announcement, the framework contract is valued at €30 million (approximately $31.5 million USD). The deal establishes Airbus as a prime contractor for EMSA’s Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) services, tasked with supporting national authorities across EU Member States, Iceland, and Norway.
The operations, scheduled to begin in 2026, will be executed by the French drone services provider Extensee. This partnership aims to enhance maritime situational awareness through missions ranging from environmental protection to coast guard functions.
The agreement outlines a multi-year commitment to strengthening European maritime security. According to the contract terms, the initial duration is set for two years, with options for two additional one-year extensions, bringing the total potential duration to four years.
Under this framework, Airbus will provide a turnkey solution for maritime surveillance. While Airbus Helicopters serves as the prime contractor, the actual flight operations will be conducted by Extensee. Based in France, Extensee specializes in complex drone operations and regulatory compliance, acting as the operator on the ground, or at sea, for these missions.
The data collected by the Flexrotor drones will be streamed live to the EMSA RPAS Data Centre. This integration allows for real-time decision-making during critical operations, including:
The selection of the Flexrotor highlights a shift toward versatile, small-footprint tactical drones. Originally developed by Aerovel and now part of the Airbus portfolio, the Flexrotor is a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions.
According to technical specifications provided by Airbus, the drone features a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 25 kg (55 lbs). Its VTOL capability eliminates the need for a runway or heavy launch and recovery equipment, allowing it to operate from a compact footprint of just 3.7m by 3.7m (12ft by 12ft). This capability is critical for EMSA, as it enables deployment from smaller patrol vessels that lack the flight decks required for larger rotary-wing drones like the Schiebel Camcopter S-100. “The Flexrotor combines the vertical lift of a helicopter with the endurance and range of a fixed-wing aircraft.”
, Airbus Technical Description
While the standard configuration of the Flexrotor offers 12 to 14 hours of endurance, the specific configuration for EMSA missions will provide up to 10 hours of flight time. This reduction is due to the integration of specialized sensor payloads, including Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) cameras and maritime radar, required for comprehensive day and night surveillance.
This contract represents a pivotal moment for Airbus’s tactical UAS strategy. By securing a €30 million commitment from a major institutional client like EMSA, Airbus has validated its 2024 acquisition of Aerovel. The deal demonstrates the company’s ability to successfully market US-developed technology to European agencies, bridging the gap between acquisition and operational fielding.
Furthermore, the inclusion of the Flexrotor diversifies EMSA’s existing fleet. The agency has historically relied on heavier assets, such as the 200kg Schiebel Camcopter S-100 and the UMS Skeldar V-200. The Flexrotor fills a specific logistical niche: providing long-endurance surveillance (10+ hours) from vessels too small to host the larger rotary-wing options. This “capability gap filler” enhances the flexibility of European maritime authorities, allowing for broader coverage without necessitating larger naval assets.
Who is the primary operator of the drones? What is the value of the contract? When will operations begin? Is the Flexrotor a European drone? Sources:
Airbus Secures €30 Million EMSA Contract for Flexrotor Maritime Surveillance
Contract Scope and Operational Structure
Technical Capabilities: The Flexrotor Advantage
AirPro News Analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
While Airbus Helicopters is the prime contractor holding the deal with EMSA, the physical operations will be conducted by Extensee, a French specialized drone operator.
The framework contract is valued at €30 million ($31.5 million USD).
Service deployment is scheduled to start in 2026.
The Flexrotor was originally developed by the US company Aerovel. However, Airbus acquired Aerovel in 2024, and this contract utilizes a European supply chain for operations (Airbus and Extensee), aligning with EU goals for strategic autonomy.
Airbus Press Release,
MarketScreener (Contract Value Data)
Photo Credit: Airbus