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EU, NATO Advance Europe-Wide Anti-Drone Plan as Ministers Convene in Brussels

The plan would place an expanded European Drone Defence Initiative inside a forthcoming Commission readiness roadmap.

Overview

  • Anonymous EU officials say the European Commission has proposed broadening the eastern-flank 'drone wall' to protect the whole continent.
  • The Commission is expected to present the defence readiness roadmap on Oct 16 that would include the wider initiative.
  • European Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius publicly referred to both the original 'drone wall' label and the new initiative, signaling the shift in scope.
  • NATO defence ministers met in Brussels on Oct 15 to consider response options, including refining rules of engagement and speeding work on anti-drone systems.
  • NATO chief Mark Rutte highlighted a division of labor in which the alliance fields military capabilities while the EU provides market leverage and funding, following recent drone incursions and overflights reported across Europe.