Ukrainian-Russian Conflict Live Updates ++ 20:02: EU Commissioner Pushes for Drone Army in Response to Russian Threat
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EU Commissioner voices worry, advocates for a consolidated European drone force
Andrius Kubilius, EU Commissioner for Defense and Space, urges Europe to develop a substantial drone army as a strategic response to possible Russian aggression against NATO countries. Intelligence suggests a potential attack within the next five years. Kubilius emphasizes the importance of producing large quantities of drones to outmatch the estimated five million drones that Russia may deploy in such a scenario. According to Kubilius, preparations for defense should be initiated now. On Sky News, he ruefully stated, "Russia may have about five million drones, so we need to have larger capacities to win." However, Kubilius warns against premature production. Europe should assemble teams of pilots, engineers, and manufacturers prepared to scale production when necessary, avoiding the deployment of outdated technology [1].
Interestingly, the European Union is embarking on a broader effort to fortify its defense capabilities, aiming to reduce its reliance on non-European arms suppliers. The EU launched the €150 billion strategic program called SAFE (Security Action for Europe) in 2023, aimed at boosting the EU's military industrial power, including investments in drones, missiles, ammunition, and air defenses. This represents a strategic shift towards technological sovereignty and joint acquisition programs among member states [5].
In addition, the EU defense capabilities development plan, endorsed by EU defense ministers in 2023, underscores the relevance of uncrewed systems and the arming of drone platforms. It also seeks a European, NATO-compatible air defense standard capable of countering slow, low-altitude threats, such as drone swarms. The Commission plans to encourage domestically produced drones within the EU, potentially in collaboration with Ukraine, by mobilizing relevant policy tools and funding [3].
Valuable insights gained from the Ukrainian conflict, where drones have proven instrumental in inflicting significant casualties on Russian troops, have informed the EU's approach. Kubilius, who has visited Ukraine, noted the ubiquity of drones on the battlefield, making traditional armored vehicles nearly defenseless in observed zones [1]. Ukraine is projected to produce over four million drones this year alone, illustrating the impact and scale of drone warfare [1].
In summary, Europe is in the early but rapidly advancing phase of building a drone force in response to perceived Russian aggression, through significant industrial investment, policy coordination, and capability development. The goal is to create a drone army that can deter or react to potential Russian aggression with a technology-driven defense strategy [1][3][5].
References:
[1] Spectator – Europe should be making its own droneshttps://www.spectator.co.uk/article/Andrius-Kubilius-Europe-should-be-making-its-own-drones
[2] Politico – EU boosts defense spending after Russia invasionhttps://www.politico.eu/article/european-union-defence-spending-increase-sc Alsos/
[3] European Commission – EU defence capability development policyhttps://ec.europa.eu/info/strategy/policy-areas/security-and-defence/defence-industry-and-military-capacities/defence-capability-development-policy-eu_en
[4] Defense News – EU unveils €13 billion defense fund to bolster eastern flankhttps://www.defensenews.com/digital-show-daily/idcs/show-dailies/europe-bae-systems-to-train-ukraine-army/
[5] European Parliament – Strategy for European Union’s Defense Researchhttps://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/TA-9-2023-0082_EN.html
- The EU Commissioner's call for a drone army in response to potential Russian aggression is part of a larger EU initiative to bolster defense capabilities, seeking technology sovereignty and joint acquisition programs, as showcased in the SAFE (Security Action for Europe) strategic program launched in 2023.
- The ongoing Ukrainian-Russian conflict has provided valuable insights for the EU, highlighting the significance of drones in modern warfare, as demonstrated by Ukraine's massive drone production and their impact on battlefield dynamics. Consequently, the EU aims to encourage domestically produced drones, potentially in collaboration with Ukraine, as a critical component of its evolving defense policy.
