The European Union is discussing the creation of a so-called 'drone wall' aimed at protecting Europe from Russian unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The proposal, advocated by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, suggests joint EU funding for the project. However, the idea is facing mixed responses among EU member states.
Some nations—such as Italy, Portugal, Spain, Slovakia, and Hungary—do not perceive a direct Russian threat and are reluctant to participate. Others, including Baltic nations and Poland, recognize the rising risks and support enhanced defenses.
Experts highlight the need for Ukrainian specialists, who have valuable experience countering drones, to be involved in developing the initiative. This also brings opportunities for sharing knowledge between European countries and Ukraine on tracking and neutralizing UAV threats.
The estimated project cost may exceed one billion euros, with a possible implementation time of under a year. Still, Europe lacks a unified strategy on the 'drone wall’s' exact functioning and the specific threats it aims to counter.
Debate around the initiative intensified after several incidents involving Russian drones in EU nations, notably Poland. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk emphasized the need for collective action and warned against underestimating the threat of war in Europe.
