Parliament debates EU international locations’ defence capabilities

Parliament discusses the challenges posed by drones and new systems of warfare and the EU‘s need to adapt to be fit for today‘s security challenges.

European countries have reported a sharp rise in Russian hybrid warfare, including conventional military provocations like fighter jet incursions and drone flights over European airspace, with at least 10 countries detecting drones near airports and military sites, many attributing this to Russia.

A European Parliament own-initiative report on drones and new systems of warfare aims to inform the EU’s response to emerging security threats. The report outlines a broad strategy to prepare the EU for the age of drone-enabled conflict. It calls for drones and counter-drone capabilities to be integrated rapidly and systematically into EU defence planning, as well as for society and critical civilian infrastructure to be more robustly protected against low-cost aerial threats. It also cautions that Europe cannot afford to rely on non-EU suppliers for technologies that shape modern conflict, stressing the need for robust domestic production not only to equip military forces but also to preserve real strategic independence.

The debate will be followed by a vote on a resolution.