EU Announces 2027 Target for Anti-Drone Defense Against Russia

Sat Oct 18 2025 08:55:05 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

As tensions mount with Russia, the EU commits to a 2027 deadline to establish a comprehensive anti-drone system, aimed at bolstering defense capabilities and deterring potential aggressors.

The European Union is set to have a fully operational anti-drone system by the end of 2027 as part of its defense strategy against ongoing threats from Russia. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas emphasized the urgent need for drone defenses, citing their significant role in modern warfare. The plans include strengthening eastern borders and enhancing air and space capabilities to ensure readiness for future conflicts.

The EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has announced that a new anti-drone system should be fully operational by the end of 2027, in a move aimed at enhancing defenses against potential aggression from Russia. In light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Kallas stated, Drones are already redefining warfare. Having drone defenses is no longer optional for anyone. This initiative is part of a broader European Commission defense roadmap designed to strengthen the EU's borders and create protective air and space systems.

Multiple EU countries have experienced incursions into their airspace by Russian forces, and the situation has raised concerns about the bloc's security. Former US President Donald Trump has previously urged the EU to enhance its self-defense capabilities. The urgency of this defense initiative reflects a wider apprehension that threats from Moscow may persist long after the conflict in Ukraine concludes.

The defense planning highlights that risks will not cease with the end of the Ukraine war, emphasizing that the EU must intensify its readiness for future challenges. Kallas remarked to reporters in Brussels, Danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends. It is clear we need to toughen our defenses against Russia.

While negotiations regarding the financial implications of these defense initiatives are ongoing, EU officials have assured that costs will be manageable. The current roadmap is awaiting approval from EU member states at an upcoming summit.

Many EU nations are collaborating on a multi-layered anti-drone system designed to detect, track, and neutralize drone threats rapidly. The directives in the roadmap aim to achieve significant defense readiness milestones by 2030 to effectively deter potential aggression and maintain peace in the region. With the backdrop of escalating tensions and increased military activities from Russia, the implementation of such defense measures is viewed as critical for ensuring the security of EU nations.

}