The European Union (EU) aims to achieve the full establishment and launch of a new anti-drone defense system by the end of 2027, officials said on Wednesday.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen first called for the creation of a "drone wall" to counter Russia last month - just hours after NATO aircraft shot down Russian drones in Poland.
Initially, the initiative was aimed at strengthening the eastern border states of the EU, but after drone flights caused disruptions at airports and in other countries of the Union, its scope was expanded.
Officials told AFP that Brussels hopes to launch the project, now called the "European Drone Defense Initiative," in a pilot mode by the end of 2026 and transition it to full operational status by the end of 2027.
This initiative is one of several key EU projects that the European Commission will present on Thursday in its "roadmap" aimed at preparing the EU for a potential attack from Moscow by 2030.
Alongside the drone initiative, a broader program called "Eastern Flank Watch" is in place to strengthen air defense at the EU's borders with Russia.
EU defense ministers are expected to discuss the proposed plan preliminarily on Wednesday evening. Officials want leaders to approve it at the upcoming summit next week.
