Ports are arming themselves with anti-drone systems. Constanța already has them, Antwerp-Bruges in 2027.

Cyberattacks and satellite and radio signal disruptions mean that ships entering port are at risk of more than just collisions with the quay, mainline, or other vessels. Today, that’s not all. Attacks on ships and port infrastructure are expected from unmanned surface and submarine vessels, as well as drones approaching from the sea or land. Cybersecurity design intertwines with the development of anti-drone defenses.

A counter-drone system has been installed in the Port of Constanța, Romania’s main access point to the Black Sea. It enables the location of aircraft and pilots, as well as the controlled capture of drones and their redirection to a safe zone, the Constanța Seaports Authority recently announced.

The port management justifies the system’s introduction by citing the fact that “the Port of Constanța is the largest port on the Black Sea and a strategic logistics hub for transit between Eastern and Western Europe, including for allied military mobility flows. In this context, protecting low-altitude airspace within the port is a key element of the CN APM SA security plan in Constanța,” reported Romania-insider.com.

Antwerp-Bruges to Receive NASAMS

It was recently announced that the Port of Antwerp-Bruges will receive its own air defense system in 2027. The Port Authority will receive direct government support. Prime Minister Bart De Wever announced that the first NASAMS battery has been ordered and is scheduled for installation in 2027, as reported by Gazet van Antwerpen. However, the new system will only be able to protect almost two-thirds of the port area. The system’s exact location has not been disclosed for security reasons.

NASAMS is a Norwegian-American air defense system designed to intercept aircraft and cruise missiles. Each battery contains a radar to detect incoming threats. A detection and command system will direct the fire of several missile launchers. Additional batteries will be deployed in the coming years. Only the second unit will enable the protection of the entire port and nearby critical infrastructure, including nuclear power plants, reports BelgaNewsAgency.eu.

However, NASAMS will require supplementation with other systems. The Norwegian system does not provide full protection from incoming missiles or drones. It is unable to intercept ballistic missiles. It will require the introduction of systems such as the MIM-104 Patriot. It is also less effective against very low-flying missiles or drones. Therefore, De Wever announced that an anti-drone system has been ordered to defend the seaport and industrial infrastructure.

The government’s decisive, albeit delayed, action is justified by the fact that last year, the port’s general director reported dozens of unregistered drones flying over sensitive locations, including chemical industry facilities and terminals.

Hamburg with a floating drone

At the beginning of April this year, the Port of Hamburg decided to strengthen its anti-drone defense capabilities. This is a response by the Port Authority, city authorities, and politicians to the real security threats posed by unmanned systems, reported PortsEurope.com, citing Andy Grote, Senator of the Hamburg Ministry of the Interior. This initiative is also financially supported by the German government, according to a statement by the Federal Minister of the Interior. Alexander Dobrindt stated that these measures are aimed at protecting critical infrastructure and ensuring supply chain security.

Rheinmetall engineers recently presented a surface drone in the Port of Hamburg. During the demonstration, the Federal Coordinator for Maritime Affairs announced increased funding for maritime research and federal guarantees for the German shipyard. These measures are aimed at strengthening the shipbuilding industry, which is considered important for Germany’s security, reports the Hansa.news portal.

Last August, Naval Vessels Lürssen (NVL) and the British technology company Kraken Technology Group formed a joint venture to build a dual-purpose unmanned surface vessel. The companies joined forces to ensure the production of autonomous surface vessels. One such system was unveiled in the Port of Hamburg: the “K3 Scout Medium.” Following the acquisition of the Lürssen Group’s maritime division, it has been officially operating for about a week now under the name Rheinmetall Naval Systems.

The unmanned systems are manufactured at the Blohm+Voss plant. According to Tim Wagner, President of Rheinmetall AG’s maritime systems division, approximately 200 units per year could be produced in the near future. The company currently has contracts for 150 drones. NATO navies are among its customers. Annual production of up to 1,000 of these unmanned surface drones is possible in the future. At the same time, the number of employees at the plant could increase from the current approximately 650 to approximately 1,000, according to Hansa.news.

Port of Rotterdam in the National Defense System

The Port of Rotterdam will also be protected by a counter-drone system. In early April of this year, the Ministry of National Defense announced that integration had been completed, resulting in counter-drone systems interoperating with combat units. During Drone Day in Oirschot (Netherlands), it was announced that the development is the result of intensive cooperation between the Ministry of National Defense, research institutions, and the Dutch drone industry, reports nlr.org.

Over a year ago, the Netherlands ordered Skyranger anti-drone guns from Germany’s Rheinmetall for approximately €1 billion, DefenseNews.com reported. The Netherlands will purchase mobile versions of the Skyranger air defense system, as well as systems for stationary use, the Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday evening. The first Skyrangers will be delivered at the end of 2028, and deliveries will be completed by the end of 2029, Rheinmetall announced in a separate statement.

The purchase of Skyrangers “gives the Netherlands greater defense capabilities against drones in the highest threat spectrum,” the Ministry of Defense explained. The Skyranger systems will complement existing short- and medium-range air defense systems. They will be used not only for military support, but will also protect industrial facilities, aquatic centers, and port areas, such as the Port of Rotterdam and military bases. The Port of Rotterdam is the largest port in Europe and a key hub for military supplies, including to Ukraine, the Dutch Ministry of Defense emphasizes.

Copenhagen Summit

At the beginning of May this year, the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments was held in Copenhagen. One of the panels focused on defense against hybrid attacks. A year earlier, after the violation of Copenhagen’s airspace by drones, an informal summit of EU leaders was held in Copenhagen, convened in response to repeated drone attacks.

The discussions focused on strengthening Europe’s defense, particularly the deployment of counter-drone systems. The need to maintain military support for Ukraine was also emphasized. The need to utilize Ukrainian military expertise and competences was also emphasized. This topic was revisited in Copenhagen again in May of this year.

Defending seaports against cyber and drone attacks has become a pressing issue. Many port authorities and governments have taken this matter very seriously and are investing significant resources in the development of port infrastructure and superstructure, as well as their industrial surroundings.