EU looks to drones, space communication to get ahead in tech race

FILE PHOTO: The facade of the European Commission headquarters is reflected in the windows of the EU Council building in Brussels, Belgium, May 20, 2015. REUTERS/Francois Lenoir/File Photo

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - The European Commission on Monday announced three flagship projects - in drone technologies, space communication and space traffic management - aimed at giving the 27-country bloc a competitive edge in these new fields.

Called the Action Plan on Synergies between the civil, defence and space industries, the scheme's objective is to harness research and innovation in the three sectors for the projects and other ventures.