The European Union has announced plans to move forward with its “Eastern Flank Watch” defence initiative, including the deployment of a high-tech “drone wall” to protect EU airspace from repeated violations, particularly by Russian drones.
The announcement came during a video conference attended by Defence Ministers from frontline EU nations—Bulgaria, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Romania—along with Hungary and Slovakia. High Representative/Vice-President Kaja Kallas and the Danish Council Presidency also participated, with NATO present as an observer. Ukraine’s Defence Minister Denys Shmyhal shared battlefield-tested expertise during the session.
EU Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius emphasized the importance of the drone wall, which will feature advanced detection, tracking, and interception capabilities. “Daily violations of EU airspace are unacceptable. Russia is testing the EU and NATO. Our response must be firm, united, and immediate,” he said.
The Eastern Flank Watch initiative will include:
- Immediate deployment of the Drone Wall with sophisticated detection and interception systems.
- Ground defences, including anti-mobility systems.
- Maritime security across the Baltic and Black Seas.
- Space-based situational awareness for real-time monitoring.
Kubilius stressed the EU’s shift from discussions to concrete actions, highlighting priorities such as securing political consensus, developing a technical roadmap, mobilising the defence industry, and leveraging the EU’s financial toolbox.
The move follows multiple drone incursions in recent days that disrupted air traffic. Denmark reported drone sightings near Copenhagen and Aalborg airports, causing flight diversions, while Norway’s Oslo airport restricted operations to a single runway. Poland and Romania also scrambled fighter jets to intercept drones that entered their airspace, raising alarm over Russia’s ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Kubilius pointed out the cost inefficiency of shooting down low-cost drones with high-value missiles, emphasizing the need for dedicated drone interception systems.
The EU is expected to hold intensive discussions on funding and operational logistics in October, with reports suggesting that interest-free loans to Ukraine could be sourced from immobilized Russian assets, though no official funding details were released.
The Eastern Flank Watch, with the drone wall at its core, represents a major step in the EU’s commitment to safeguarding its airspace and strengthening collective security amid escalating tensions in Eastern Europe.
