Three European aerospace companies called on Europe to launch its own independent drone programme to equip armies across the continent. “European sovereignty and independence in the management of information and intelligence would be guaranteed while at the same time delivering a robust system resilient against cyber attacks,”
Northrop Grumman signed a $1.7 billion (1 billion pounds) contract with NATO in May last year for a new surveillance and intelligence system that will include five drones and transportable ground stations. http://www.nytimes.com/reuters/2013/06/16/business/16reuters-dassault-drones.html?hp&_r=0
Fourteen NATO members, including Germany, agreed to pay for the new system, due to be ready between 2015 and 2017, which NATO will then operate and maintain on behalf of all 28 allies, according to NATO’s web site.