Europe in danger; a "wall of drones" emerges – Do the Croats hold the key role?

The European Commission has proposed a comprehensive plan to strengthen the EU’s defense capabilities, aiming to achieve full defense readiness by 2030. One of the initiatives involves establishing a drone defense system across the entire European Union, which is expected to be operational by the end of 2027, said EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell.

"Today we are proposing a new drone defense system that would be fully operational by the end of 2027," Borrell said at a press conference presenting the plan for defense readiness.

He emphasized that the system would protect all EU member states from drones, as all are exposed to such risks.

The document, titled “Preserving Peace – Defense Readiness Plan 2030,” was jointly prepared by the Commission and the High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy, who holds a dual role as Vice-President of the Commission and Chair of the Foreign Affairs Council.

"Recent threats have shown that Europe is in danger. We must protect every citizen and every square centimeter of our territory," said Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Four Key Projects

The defense plan includes four main projects:

1. European Drone Defense Initiative

2. Eastern Flank Surveillance

3. European Air Shield

4. Defensive Space Shield

The defense capabilities plan sets goals and key milestones to reduce disparities in military capabilities and accelerate defense investments among member states. Achieving full defense readiness means that member countries should be able to deter and defend on land, at sea, in the air, and in space.

The Commission proposes that member states join “capability coalitions” in nine key areas, such as air and missile defense, artillery systems, military mobility, ammunition production, drones, and counter-drone systems.

"We propose that member states work together in coalitions where they cannot act independently, because no one is big enough alone," said the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Affairs, Kaja Kallas.

Croatia, the Netherlands, and Latvia in the drone coalition

Croatia, together with the Netherlands and Latvia, aims to be a leading nation in the production of drones and counter-drone systems, and the three countries are already holding technical-level meetings. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans said yesterday at NATO that his country, together with Latvia and Croatia, is taking the lead in developing drone production capabilities and counter-drone systems.

The goal of the defense plan, among other things, is to establish a simplified and integrated European defense equipment market, which is a key element for increasing production, achieving economies of scale, and encouraging innovation.

By 2030, the objective is to establish a true EU-wide market with harmonized rules, allowing the industry to deliver the necessary equipment quickly and in the required quantities.

Defense has become one of the EU’s main priorities following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine and after the insistence of the United States that Europe take responsibility for its own defense.

"Over the next few years, we must significantly strengthen European defense capabilities. Russia today does not have the capacity to attack the EU, but it could prepare in the years to come. The threat will not disappear even if the war in Ukraine ends," said Kaja Kallas.