Quick decision context for procurement relevance and maturity.
The contract, valued at 290,087,920.78 EUR, funds the development of the European Medium-Altitude Long-Endurance Remotely Piloted Air System (MALE RPAS), also known as Eurodrone, by Airbus Defence and Space, Leonardo, and Dassault Aviation. It is for creating a next-generation armed UAV for Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition, and Reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, enhancing European strategic autonomy, integrating into non-segregated airspace, and supporting future combat air systems, with a global contract signed in February 2022 covering development, production of 20 systems, and initial in-service support managed by OCCAR for France, Germany, Italy, and Spain.
https://defence-industry-space.ec.europa.eu/system/files/2021-06/EDIDP_DA_MALE%20RPAS.pdf