The European Commission is preparing a new initiative following repeated incidents of airspace violations by Russia against member states, with the most recent recorded in Denmark. Specifically, it was confirmed on Tuesday (23/09) that the European Commission is proceeding with the creation of a European «Drone Wall», a detection and defense system against unmanned aircraft along the European Union’s external borders. «The airspace violations of member states were not random. There is a clear pattern, Russia is testing European borders, checking our determination and undermining our security», emphasized foreign affairs spokesperson Anita Hipper speaking on behalf of the Commission, noting that this pattern can no longer be ignored.
“Drone Wall”: Commission’s plan for detection, defense and interference
It should be noted that the Commission confirmed that the initiative to install a «Drone Wall» is already in an advanced planning stage. This is a technological infrastructure that will enable early drone detection and the capability for immediate defense or interference. As explained by the Commission’s defense affairs spokesperson, Thomas Regnier, the project is still in the technical evaluation phase and emphasized that it will have two basic elements: Detection of drones using sensors, radar and other technologies, and response, meaning the capability to interfere, neutralize or safely shoot them down. When asked about funding and the timeline for launching the initiative, Commission spokesperson Olaf Gill emphasized that «we cannot wait. We must act quickly. There are already available funds through the SAFE program».
