In the coming months, the European Union will propose launching joint projects to create unmanned aerial vehicles and air defense systems as part of an ambitious five-year plan to rearm the continent and deter Russia, reported Bloomberg. 'Authoritarian states are increasingly interfering in our societies and economy,' the document states. 'Traditional allies and partners are shifting their focus to other regions of the world.' It is specified that in the foreseeable future, Russia will remain a constant threat to European security.
By the end of 2027, the plan envisions that the EU will carry out 40% of its defense procurement jointly, more than doubling the current figure.
The document notes that although the bloc's combined defense budget has nearly doubled since 2021—from 218 billion euros to a projected 392 billion euros in 2025—spending remains largely uncoordinated among EU countries. This hinders Europe's ability to rearm quickly. To facilitate the financing of military buildup, the EU has already approved a fund of 150 billion euros, which is currently being allocated to various projects.
Meanwhile, European countries have not yet approved the proposal to create a 'drone wall' to protect European airspace from the intrusion of Russian drones, writes Reuters, citing several officials and diplomats.
The European Commission is trying to convince the governments of southern and western European countries, which argue that the initial idea was too focused on the eastern border of the bloc, whereas drones can pose a threat to the entire continent.
Last year, the Baltic countries, as well as Poland and Finland, proposed the idea of a 'drone wall' to the European Commission, reported a representative of the Estonian border service to Reuters. Initially, the deployment of sensors and drones was intended to combat smuggling, and the project did not receive support. However, the idea later evolved into a more defense-oriented concept, and Russia's intrusion into Polish airspace on September 9 accelerated all processes.
Poland and the Baltic countries, being the closest to Russia, are calling for a more rapid response to the challenges of the time. The Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski urged preparation for Russian strikes deep into Europe and for war for another three years, calling it irresponsible to refuse the rapid creation of modern defense systems, including the 'drone wall' project on Europe's eastern borders.
The process is hampered by the fact that unlike small countries, which believe that the European Commission can coordinate these projects, France and Germany want to retain control and handle large procurements independently.
Moreover, the EU and its member states will have to determine which systems to purchase, where to use them, and how to link them all together, stated officials and industry leaders. According to experts, any such system should fit into the broader NATO air and missile defense systems.
Photo: Bloomberg