The European Commission on Thursday proposed four European flagship defence projects - including a counter-drone system and a plan to fortify the eastern border - as part of a drive to get the continent ready to defend itself by 2030.
The proposals, in a defence policy "roadmap", reflect fears fuelled by the war in Ukraine that Russia may attack an EU member in the coming years, and calls by U.S. President Donald Trump for Europe to do more for its own security.
"Danger will not disappear even when the war in Ukraine ends. It is clear we need to toughen our defences against Russia," European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas told a news conference.
"Russia does not have the capacity to attack the European Union today, but it could prepare itself in the years to come" she said.
The Commission said two "flagships" were particularly urgent - the European Drone Defence Initiative, previously known as a "drone wall", and Eastern Flank Watch, which aims to "fortify the EU’s Eastern borders "across land, air and sea".
The Commission, the European Union's executive body, said both projects should have initial capacity by the end of next year. The drone project should be fully functional a year later and "flank watch" should reach that status at the end of 2028.
"Our aim is that by 2030, all current shortfalls are filled" Kallas added.
She also mentioned that work on improving the EU's defence system was already underway as the first meeting of the Drones Coalition took place with the Netherlands and Latvia in the lead.
"Drones are already redefining warfare. Having drone defences is no longer optional for anyone," Kallas told journalists.
It also proposed a European Air Shield, to defend against missiles and other airborne threats, and a European Space Shield, to protect European space assets and services.
Leaders of the EU's 27 member governments will decide whether to endorse the flagship proposals and to agree on who runs projects that get the green light.
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