Overview
- The European Commission’s defence readiness roadmap elevates the European Drone Defence Initiative and Eastern Flank Watch, with both projects slated to be fully functional by the end of 2028.
- A Lithuanian planning document describes a border shield using high-autonomy systems that can surveil and strike, including kamikaze drones and AI coordination, with a goal to remove humans from first response.
- Combat lessons from Ukraine show drones create deep kill zones that punish tanks and massed forces without air superiority, prompting calls to protect armor or rethink heavy platform investments.
- Analysts stress industrial scale for cheap, updatable unmanned systems, reduced dependence on Chinese components, Starlink‑style communications for command and control, and stronger cyber resilience.
- Eastern European leaders are accelerating self‑reliance as Washington’s new strategy signals Europe must assume most conventional defence from 2027 and regional officials question the reliability of U.S. backing.