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A united push for Europe’s aerial defense
European leaders are accelerating plans to build a “drone wall” along the eastern flank of the continent as fears of Russian provocations grow. Defense manufacturers from across Europe have signaled strong support, positioning themselves as key players in what could become one of the most ambitious defense projects in decades.

At a high-profile summit in Copenhagen, political leaders and defense officials from across the EU gathered to discuss strategy, funding, and operational frameworks for the initiative. The urgency comes after a series of recent airspace violations, with Poland, Estonia, Lithuania, and Romania reporting incursions from suspected Russian drones and jets. Even Denmark and Norway have experienced disruptions from unidentified drones, forcing airports to temporarily suspend operations.

Defense giants step forward
Swedish defense manufacturer Saab voiced its readiness to support the plan, emphasizing the urgent need for coordinated action. “The drone threat is rapidly growing in both civilian and military contexts, and only a united European approach can effectively counter it,” said Mattias Rådström, Saab’s head of media relations.

British defense contractor BAE Systems, a long-standing backbone of NATO air policing, underscored its willingness to deepen involvement. “We stand ready to support NATO allies and partners with the full scale of our drone and air defense capabilities,” a company spokesperson said.

German arms giant Rheinmetall also highlighted the scale of interest in drone warfare solutions, noting that while drones are relatively easy to shoot down, the real challenge lies in detecting small, low-flying models and fending off swarm attacks. The company advocates for cannon-based defense systems as the most cost-efficient and reliable method of countering drones at close range.

Ukraine shares expertise
Denmark confirmed that several European allies have already contributed equipment, technology, and personnel to strengthen its drone defenses this week. Ukraine, which has become an expert in drone warfare after nearly three years of conflict with Russia, has lent its battlefield knowledge to help shape Europe’s strategy. Ukrainian forces have innovated tactics such as “Spiderweb” drone attacks, targeting deep within Russian territory — lessons that Europe is now keen to adapt for its own protection.

Concerns and challenges ahead
While the drone wall proposal has received strong backing, experts caution that the project faces several hurdles. Jens Holzapfel, business director at Nordic Air Defense (NAD), praised the initiative as bold and necessary but warned against oversimplifying its complexity.

“This will not be a simple wall. It must be a vast network of radars, sensors, and layered countermeasures that integrate seamlessly across borders. Interoperability is the key challenge,” Holzapfel said.

He also noted the risk of drones being launched not just from Russia, but potentially from within the EU itself — whether by state proxies or non-state actors inspired by recent Ukrainian tactics. “If European leaders fall into bureaucratic disputes over leadership, financing, and industrial involvement, we may lose the speed needed to counter this growing threat,” Holzapfel added.

Strategic urgency for Europe’s security
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the drone wall as “the bedrock of credible defense,” echoing calls from Baltic nations who sit on the frontline of Russia’s aggression. With defense companies, political leaders, and NATO allies aligned, momentum is growing — but success will hinge on Europe’s ability to cut through bureaucracy and deliver a functioning system quickly.

The message from the defense industry is clear: Europe’s security landscape is shifting fast, and time is running out. The drone wall could become not just a shield, but a defining symbol of Europe’s collective resolve against the evolving threats of modern warfare.