**European Defence Ministers Agree to Develop Drone Wall Along Borders with Russia and Ukraine**
European defence ministers have agreed to develop a drone wall along their borders with Russia and Ukraine to better detect, track, and intercept drones violating Europe’s airspace. This decision comes in response to a spate of incidents in which Europe’s borders and airports have been challenged by rogue drones.
Russia has been blamed for some of these incidents but denies any intentional involvement or role. “Russia is testing the EU and NATO, and our response must be firm, united, and immediate,” EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius said after chairing a virtual meeting of 10 countries situated on Europe’s eastern flank. Ukrainian and NATO officials also participated in the talks.
Mr Kubilius mentioned that the drone shield could take up to a year to build. Envoys from the involved countries are set to meet soon to develop a detailed conceptual and technical roadmap on the project’s next steps. The top priority is establishing an effective detection system.
The proposed drone wall will likely be discussed by EU leaders at a summit in Copenhagen next week and again in October when they meet in Brussels. Mr Kubilius added that Europe’s defence industry would also be engaged in the initiative.
“The hybrid war is ongoing and all countries in the European Union will experience it. The threat from the Russian Federation is serious. We must respond to it in a very radical manner,” said Polish Defence Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz.
He described the recent meeting as a milestone and emphasized a focus on delivery moving forward. However, the situation has escalated recently; on September 10, NATO jets scrambled to intercept and shoot down several Russian drones that breached Polish airspace. This was an expensive response to a relatively cheap threat.
Airports in Denmark were temporarily closed this week after drones were flown nearby, highlighting the growing concern. “The hybrid war is ongoing and all countries in the European Union will experience it,” reiterated Polish Defence Minister Kosiniak-Kamysz during a press briefing in Warsaw following the drone wall talks.
He urged all EU partners to engage in the project, noting that incidents at Danish airports demonstrate the threat is not limited to Europe’s eastern flank. The launch of drones may originate from ships or vessels positioned nearby.
On Thursday, Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen addressed the nation via social media, stating that the recent drone incidents represent a new reality for Europe, in which hybrid attacks have become fiercer and more frequent.
While Danish authorities have yet to determine who is behind the incidents, she identified Russia as the primary threat to European security at present.
Neighbouring Sweden has offered to loan Denmark a military anti-drone system ahead of the upcoming EU summits in Copenhagen. Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson told broadcaster TV4 that the system is capable of shooting down drones. It remains unclear whether Denmark has accepted this offer.
The 27 EU leaders are scheduled to meet on Wednesday, with drone security threats expected to feature prominently on the agenda. They will be joined by over a dozen other leaders for a European Political Community summit on Thursday.
Earlier this month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the importance of building a drone wall. “Europe must heed the call of our Baltic friends and build a drone wall. This is not an abstract ambition. It is the bedrock of credible defence,” she told EU politicians.
President von der Leyen stressed that the drone capability should be developed, deployed, and sustained together by European nations. It must respond in real time and leave no ambiguity regarding Europe’s intentions. “Europe will defend every inch of its territory,” she affirmed.
To support this initiative, six billion euros (€5.2 billion) will be allocated to establish a drone alliance with Ukraine. Ukrainian armed forces are currently using unmanned aerial vehicles to inflict around two-thirds of all military equipment losses sustained by Russian forces.
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*Stay tuned for further updates on the development of Europe’s drone defence capabilities and the ongoing geopolitical situation in Eastern Europe.*
https://www.breakingnews.ie/world/european-defence-ministers-agree-to-develop-drone-wall-1811434.html