Drone Show Disrupted in Montenegro; Company Claims Intentional Interference

A planned drone show in Budva, Montenegro, was abruptly interrupted when over 200 drones were allegedly brought down by signal jammers, according to Franjo Koletic, director of Mirnovec Pirotehnika. The company, which has operated in the drone entertainment industry for 35 years, claims that this incident was not an accident but a deliberate act of interference.

In a statement released to the media, Koletic detailed the challenges faced by his team upon arriving in Montenegro. He noted that on the evening of December 28, 2023, a truck carrying their drones arrived at the border, equipped with a legitimate ATA carnet. This document allows for the temporary importation of goods into participating countries, including Montenegro.

Upon entry, the team was informed they needed additional approval from the Ministry of Economy. Having acquired the necessary permit by December 29, they faced further delays at customs, which prolonged their wait to enter the country. Koletic explained that after two and a half days of waiting, they finally received clearance to proceed.

On December 31, before the show was set to begin, the drones were positioned at the designated launch site. Despite experiencing minor provocations from some staff at the Port Authority, Koletic stated that preparations continued as planned. The drones were ready for takeoff after all necessary tests were completed.

However, when the drones began to ascend, they reportedly exceeded a height of 15 meters, which placed them within the range of the jamming signals. Koletic stated, “As soon as they entered the interference zone, the drones started to fall.”

Following the incident, the team contacted Verge Aero, the American manufacturer of the drones, to analyze the situation. Their engineers confirmed that the drones were programmed to return to the launch site when they lost signal, which resulted in collisions with drones still in the process of taking off.

Koletic emphasized the severity of the damage, noting that over 200 drones were affected. He described the equipment used to disrupt the show as professional-grade signal jammers typically possessed by police, military units, and specialized state services. “Such equipment is difficult for individuals to access, as it is considered weaponry,” he stated.

Although he refrained from speculating on who may have orchestrated the interference, Koletic expressed regret for the visitors who came to witness what was meant to be the first drone show in the area. He highlighted that his company has successfully executed over 100 projects across various countries, including Germany, Italy, and Qatar, and has a solid reputation within the industry.

This incident casts a shadow over the inaugural drone show planned for Budva, which was set to feature a synchronized display involving 600 drones. Koletic concluded his remarks by underscoring that his company remains committed to its work, despite being collateral damage in this unfortunate situation.