Brussels: The European Commission announced on Thursday a comprehensive plan including a Defence Readiness Roadmap aimed at strengthening Europe's defense capabilities and preparing for potential future conflicts by 2030.
According to Kuwait News Agency, the EU has also affirmed the necessity of building anti-drone systems in response to "growing Russian threats." In a press conference held by EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas at the Commission's headquarters in Brussels to present the new roadmap, Kallas stated, "Russia does not currently have the capacity to launch an attack on the European Union, but it could prepare for one in the coming years. The danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends." She emphasized the importance of drones in modern warfare, declaring, "Drones are redefining modern warfare, and having defensive systems against them is no longer optional but a necessity for everyone. Today, we are proposing a new European anti-drone system to be fully operational by the end of 2027." The Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030 is designed to build integrated defense capabilities that will enable Europe to confront any future threats while enhancing industrial and military cooperation among member states.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen highlighted the urgency of the initiative, noting that "recent threats have shown that Europe is at risk, and we must protect every citizen and every inch of our territory. The roadmap provides a clear plan with shared goals and defined milestones on our path to 2030." The plan comprises four key initiatives: the European Drone Defense Initiative, the Eastern Flank Watch, the European Air Shield, and the European Space Shield. These initiatives are designed to bolster defense capabilities across land, air, sea, space, and cyberspace, while contributing to NATO's collective capability targets.
The Commission reiterated that strengthening Europe's defense also involves steadfast support for Ukraine, underscoring that the ultimate goal is to achieve full defense readiness by 2030 to ensure the protection of Europe and its citizens from any future threats.