Venligst tjek din email for at verificere din konto
In August, the US Department of State’s Bureau of Counterterrorism hosted the inaugural in-person workshop at the Counter-Drone Five Eyes (FVEY) Policy Forum in Washington, DC, bringing together FVEY partners and key US government stakeholders for substantive discussions on effective counter-drone strategies. The focus was on developing and implementing national policies, enhancing collaboration among FVEY partners, and strategizing for the future of the Counter-Drone FVEY Policy Forum.
FVEY delegates included representatives from the Home Office and MoD (UK), the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and Transport Canada, the Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development Communications and the Arts (Australia), and New Zealand’s Ministry of Transport. The US delegation featured representatives from the National Security Council, the Department of Homeland Security and its component agencies, Customs and Border Protection and the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Federal Aviation Administration, and the Department of Defense.
Chris Landberg, Senior Bureau Official of the Bureau of Counterterrorism, and Jeffrey Giauque, Deputy Coordinator for Crisis Response and Technology, delivered the opening remarks on the first day. Landberg underscored State’s unwavering commitment to addressing the potential misuse of technology by terrorists, emphasising the imperative for a comprehensive, whole-of-government approach to counter this evolving technology, recognizing its increasing significance in the future landscape of modern warfare and society. National representatives then offered their respective national perspectives on drone threats, covering such topics as existing policies, regulatory frameworks, and domestic strategies. Brent Cotton, Director for the C-UAS Program Management Office at the Department of Homeland Security, offered a detailed account of the 18-month process involved in formulating new legislation and policies for countering drones across various interagency channels. This presentation provided participants with valuable perspectives on the shared challenges and distinctive approaches of the FVEY partners and also delved into the complexities of crafting streamlined counter-drone legislation, encompassing authorities, policies, technical requirements, and subsequent implementation.
As the official co-host, the British Embassy hosted the second day of the workshop. During this session, participants extended their discussions on evolving threats and trends in the context of drones. Participants actively engaged in panel discussions exploring the beneficial applications of drones. The panels also delved into the current status of each country’s integration of drones into legislative and regulatory frameworks, addressing challenges related to incorporating aerial drones into civil society and the national airspace.
The final day, hosted by the Department of Homeland Security. featured displays from State’s Bureau of Diplomatic Security, Customs and Border Protection, and MITRE. Simulated attacks by high-speed drones effectively highlighted the evolving threats drones pose for national security. Furthermore, the demonstration underscored the imperative for robust collaboration among FVEY partners, and the pivotal role the policy forum plays in in developing consistent policies. The parties committed to formalising the forum as a lasting entity, worthy of permanent support.