European Union leaders meeting in Copenhagen this week will discuss a slate of flagship defense projects, including a European drone wall and an air-defense shield.
The plans have gained urgency following a wave of incursions into NATO airspace by Russian aircraft. The European Commission, the bloc¡¯s executive arm, laid out its proposals in a paper published Monday as part of a strategy to get the bloc to close gaps in the continent¡¯s defense by 2030.
The focus is on areas identified as ones requiring the most urgent action, including air and missile defense, and drones. The paper will serve as the basis for discussion when leaders meet in the Danish capital later this week.
¡°In light of the continued military aggression against Ukraine, and the recent increase of violations of air space of member states, two flagship projects ¡ª the European drone wall and The eastern flank watch ¡ª require special urgency and should be moved forward expediently,¡± according to the commission paper.
The drone wall is expected to lean on Ukraine¡¯s experience and integrate start-ups and academia into hubs across Europe. The eastern flank watch is expected to shield the continent from threats such as hybrid attacks and would include ground defense, anti-drone capacities, maritime and space-based elements.
The EU is encouraging member states to form coalitions to tackle the various gaps in the continent¡¯s defense. Germany has previously offered to take the lead on air defense.
Financing would be sourced in part from the bloc¡¯s €150 billion ($176 billion) SAFE loan fund. Potential projects need to be presented by an end-November deadline to qualify for this facility. Negotiations are also underway with the U.K. and Canada to grant the non-EU nations possible access to the funds. Japan and India may also be considered later.
The sightings of large, professional-grade drones forced the temporary closure of several Danish airports, among them the country¡¯s main hub in Copenhagen. Earlier this month, North Atlantic Treaty Organization planes shot down Russian drones after they violated Polish airspace.
¡°The repeated violations of our airspace are unacceptable,¡± EU defense chief Andrius Kubilius said in a statement last week. ¡°Russia is testing the EU and NATO. And our response must be firm, united, and immediate.¡±
While reiterating that ultimate sovereignty on matters of defense remains in the hands of capitals, the commission is taking the initiative on collective steps to rearm the continent and encourage joint procurement without doubling up with NATO. The EU plans to track progress through an annual report.
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