Satellite Systems as an Advancement of Smart Borders in European Union Border Management

Abstract The current situation of a multiplicity of crises at the EU’s external borders directly affects the surveillance of the Union’s borders and its internal security. This requires the use of new and increasingly advanced technologies, which are framed by the idea of Smart Borders. Progressive crises require that ‘traditional’ methods of protecting the EU’s borders are constantly supplemented and upgraded with new technologies to ensure the security of the Schengen/Union area. One of the most important in this field is the use of satellite systems for better border management. EU agencies, the Copernicus programme and other components of the European Union Space Programme serve to strengthen border management through geospatial intelligence and imagery of the situation at borders and in pre-border areas. Of particular relevance in this respect is the EUROSUR Fusion Services referred to as a ‘system of systems’, which integrates information from satellites, radar, drones, and other sources to enable more effective threat prevention at the EU’s external borders. The aim of the article is to analyse and evaluate the utility of satellite systems in EU integrated border management (EU IBM) and to develop the Smart Borders concept with the latest satellite technologies to ensure EU security now and in the face of future challenges. Ultimately, it is pointed out that space technologies are becoming an enhancement, adding a new dimension to EU security. This leads to the creation of Future Smart Borders encompassing the support of EU IBM through evolving satellite systems.