Europe is undergoing an unprecedented transformation of its defence policies. The sustained increase in military spending, the lessons learnt from the war in Ukraine and the need to strengthen the continent’s security are driving a profound review of capabilities, doctrines and supply chains.
In this new landscape, European armed forces face a dual challenge. On the one hand, they must respond to emerging threats such as the massive proliferation of drones on the battlefield. On the other, they need to enhance the effectiveness of their weapon systems without relying solely on a constant increase in material and logistical resources.
The solution increasingly lies in technologies capable of combining precision, integration and operational sustainability. It is against this backdrop that European companies such as EM&E Group, a leading Spanish group in defence and security innovation and technologies, are developing solutions that address some of the most pressing priorities for today’s armed forces: defence against unmanned systems and the evolution of indirect fire towards high-precision models.
The anti-drone revolution is already underway
The presence of drones in recent conflicts has profoundly changed the way armies operate. Low-cost platforms capable of carrying out surveillance, reconnaissance or attack missions have demonstrated that even relatively simple systems can pose significant operational challenges.
As a result, anti-drone capabilities have become a priority for governments and armed forces across Europe. Protecting critical infrastructure, military bases, logistics centres and deployed units now requires solutions capable of detecting, identifying and neutralising threats in a matter of seconds.
EM&E Group’s proposal is centred on an integrated anti-drone defence architecture that combines sensors, command and control systems, electronic warfare and neutralisation capabilities within a single operational solution.
The system integrates information from radars and electro-optical sensors, utilising artificial intelligence tools to speed up the detection, classification and response to threats.
Once a threat has been detected, the response may combine different levels of action. Soft-kill capabilities use electronic warfare systems to disrupt the communications and navigation of enemy drones, whilst hard-kill or kinetic capabilities enable physical neutralisation when the situation requires it.
This architecture is deployed via the ODIN family, designed to adapt to different operational scenarios. The various configurations enable it to meet needs ranging from the protection of strategic infrastructure to the support of deployed troops.
ODIN 6×6, an integrated response to a growing threat
The latest development in this family is the ODIN 6×6, unveiled by EM&E Group at Eurosatory 2026 as its most advanced mobile C-UAS solution to date.
The ODIN 6×6 is based on the integration of various technological capabilities, ranging from the early detection and identification of threats to their neutralisation. All of this is integrated via a C2 system.
The EM&E Group’s new C-UAS solution comprises four three-dimensional precision radars mounted on the FEROX armoured vehicle, two optically guided interceptor drones, and a GUARDIAN 2.0 PRO remote station equipped with a 30 mm cannon and laser-guided micro-missiles.
ODIN 6×6 reflects another of Europe’s key defence priorities: strengthening its own technological and industrial base. Its development is the result of collaboration between various international partners and demonstrates how industrial cooperation is becoming a key factor in reinforcing the continent’s strategic autonomy.
Do more with available resources
The quest for greater efficiency is also transforming the field of artillery and indirect fire. For decades, the destruction of targets relied heavily on the massive use of conventional ammunition. However, current conflicts have highlighted the limitations of this model. Maintaining large stockpiles, transporting huge volumes of ammunition and sustaining high rates of consumption place increasing pressure on budgets and logistics chains.
Precision has become a force multiplier. The ALKON family, developed by EM&E Group, addresses precisely this need. Rather than requiring the development of new smart projectiles from scratch, its trajectory correction kits enable existing conventional rockets to be converted into high-precision guided systems.
This approach offers clear operational advantages, as well as significant economic benefits. The armed forces can make use of existing stocks, reduce procurement costs and accelerate the introduction of new capabilities without having to completely replace their current systems.
The technology utilises an advanced active control section that corrects the trajectory through steerable aerodynamic surfaces during flight guided by a hybrid navigation system that combines the GPS/GNSS satellite signal with a robust inertial system immune to electronic countermeasures.
ALKON 122 has been designed to be integrated into standard 122 mm rockets widely used by numerous armed forces. Its successor, ALKON 122 LASER, also incorporates a semi-active laser (SAL) seeker that enables high levels of accuracy to be maintained even in environments where GNSS signals have been degraded or blocked. These capabilities ensure operational effectiveness is maintained even in environments subject to electronic jamming.
Tactical precision too
EM&E Group’s strategy in the field of guided munitions also extends to mortars through the EGM120 guided grenade.
Designed to maximise operational effectiveness, the EGM120 combines GNSS and inertial navigation to offer significantly greater accuracy than conventional munitions. This capability enables forces to engage high-value targets, such as radars, electronic warfare systems or command and control posts, efficiently, whilst reducing the need for multiple rounds to achieve the desired effect. Furthermore, the introduction and use of the EGM120 helps to reduce the logistical burden during prolonged operations.
In this context, the evolution of conflicts is demonstrating that military superiority increasingly depends on the ability to integrate information, act swiftly and maximise the performance of available resources. From anti-drone defence to precision-guided munitions, the solutions developed by EM&E Group reflect the pursuit of capabilities that are smarter, more efficient and less dependent on the vulnerabilities of global supply chains.
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