European officials are meeting in Copenhagen to address repeated drone incursions into European airspace, primarily blamed on Russia. A flagship "drone wall" initiative, a layered network of detection and interception systems, is being proposed as part of a "Defence Readiness Roadmap" to bolster the continent's defenses and leverage Ukraine's expertise.
Following weeks of repeated drone incursions into European airspace, largely attributed to Russia, European officials are convening in Copenhagen to devise protective measures. A key proposal is the "drone wall," envisioned not as a physical barrier but as a sophisticated, layered network of detection and interception systems. This initiative is a core component of the "Defence Readiness Roadmap" being developed by the European Commission and the EU. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized the need for a strong, united response to Russia's actions and stated the drone wall would be part of the "Eastern Flank Watch," moving forward with Ukraine and NATO. While German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius suggested a 3-4 year implementation timeline, Latvia's Prime Minister Evika Silina believes it could be achieved much faster. Rafael Loss from the European Council on Foreign Relations noted that while the European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) already exists, the drone wall would specifically enhance NATO's eastern flank by expanding sensor networks to track drones more effectively, a threat not traditionally prioritized by air defense systems. Ukraine's extensive experience in drone and counter-drone warfare is seen as crucial, with President Volodymyr Zelensky offering Ukrainian expertise and technology. Experts also suggest shifting towards more cost-effective electronic warfare methods like jamming or spoofing, rather than using expensive missiles against cheap drones, a point echoed by NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte. Drones pose a disproportionate threat due to their low cost, potential for significant damage, surveillance capabilities, and collision risks, with even intercepted debris posing hazards. The initiative aims to fill critical defense gaps but also highlights the need for complementary offensive capabilities.
