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EU Moves to Expand 'Drone Wall' Into Continent-Wide Drone Defense Initiative

The Commission expects to outline the plan in a defense readiness roadmap scheduled for Oct. 16.

Overview

  • The European Commission proposal would extend protection beyond the eastern flank to cover the whole continent, according to EU officials and a diplomat.
  • The concept envisions a network of sensors, electronic jamming systems and weapons stretching from the Baltic states to the Black Sea.
  • European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius signaled the shift on Oct. 14 by referencing both the old and new names during a Brussels speech.
  • Commission President Ursula von der Leyen advanced the original 'drone wall' after about 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace in September.
  • Eastern European governments welcomed the initial focus while southern and western countries argued their regions were being overlooked.