Conference Description
Key Takeaways
- Two-day conference addressing counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) for European homeland security applications
- Focus on protecting critical infrastructure, airports, public venues and urban environments from drone threats
- Coverage of detection, tracking and mitigation technologies including radar, RF systems, acoustic sensors and electronic warfare
- Operational lessons from recent conflicts and major event protection scenarios
- Designed for senior government, military, law enforcement and critical infrastructure security professionals
Introduction
Counter UAS Homeland Security Europe convenes in London on 23–24 September 2026 to address one of the most pressing security challenges facing European nations: the proliferation of unauthorised and hostile drone activity. The conference brings together government officials, military commanders, law enforcement agencies and critical infrastructure operators to examine practical approaches for detecting, tracking and neutralising drone threats across civilian environments.
The timing reflects growing urgency within the security community. Incidents involving drones near airports, stadiums and sensitive installations have increased substantially in recent years, while lessons from the conflict in Ukraine have demonstrated how rapidly drone tactics evolve in adversarial contexts. European authorities face the dual challenge of developing effective countermeasures while navigating complex regulatory frameworks that govern airspace and electronic emissions.
About This Event
The conference operates as an in-person gathering featuring strategic briefings, panel discussions and technology showcases. Sessions are structured to facilitate knowledge exchange between practitioners who have deployed C-UAS systems operationally and those responsible for procurement, policy development and strategic planning.
Technology demonstrations form a significant component of the programme, with exhibitors including Sentrycs, Echodyne, Robin Radar Systems, D-Fend Solutions, Aaronia, Netline and DRS RADA Technologies among others. These organisations represent the spectrum of C-UAS approaches currently available, from radar-based detection systems to RF cyber takeover solutions and electronic warfare capabilities.
Detection, Tracking and Mitigation Technologies
Effective counter-drone operations require layered systems that can detect threats at sufficient range, track them accurately through complex environments, and neutralise them without causing collateral damage. The conference examines how different sensor modalities—radar, radio frequency analysis, acoustic detection and electro-optical systems—complement one another in operational deployments.
Mitigation presents particular challenges in civilian settings where jamming and electronic warfare techniques must account for nearby communications infrastructure and aviation safety requirements. Sessions address how operators balance effectiveness against regulatory constraints, and how AI-enabled sensors are improving the ability to distinguish genuine threats from benign drone activity.
Operational Lessons and Real-World Applications
The programme draws heavily on operational experience, including lessons learned from the Ukraine conflict where drone warfare has evolved at unprecedented pace. Military practitioners share insights on how adversarial tactics have developed and what this means for homeland security applications in peacetime environments.
Case studies from law enforcement and event security provide practical context for protecting large-scale gatherings, sporting venues and entertainment facilities. These scenarios present distinct challenges from military applications, requiring systems that can operate effectively in crowded urban environments with minimal disruption to legitimate activities.
Regulatory Frameworks and Multinational Cooperation
C-UAS deployment in Europe operates within a complex regulatory landscape spanning aviation authorities, telecommunications regulators and national security frameworks. The conference addresses current policy developments and how organisations can implement solutions that remain compliant while maintaining operational effectiveness.
Interoperability between national systems represents another significant theme. As drone threats do not respect borders, effective response increasingly requires coordination between military, police and civil authorities across multiple jurisdictions. Standardisation efforts aim to ensure that systems deployed by different agencies can share information and operate cohesively during cross-border incidents.
Who Should Attend
The conference targets senior professionals responsible for security strategy, technology procurement and operational command. This includes heads of security at critical infrastructure facilities, C-UAS programme managers within government and military organisations, policy advisors working on drone regulation, and technical leads evaluating detection and mitigation solutions. Representatives from airports, utilities, stadiums and border security agencies will find particular relevance in sessions addressing their specific operational contexts.