eastern flank
EU sets 2027 target for anti-drone system to defend against Russia
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has said a new anti-drone system should be fully operational by the end of 2027, as part of a drive to toughen defences against Russia and be fully prepared for possible conflict by 2030. Drones are already redefining warfare. Having drone defences is no longer optional for anyone, Kallas said, referring to Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and fears that Moscow may attack the EU. The European Commission's defence roadmap also proposes strengthening the EU's eastern borders and building air and space shields. Several EU nations have faced Russian incursions into their airspace and US President Donald Trump has urged the bloc to do more to defend itself.
EU discusses 'drone wall' to protect airspace from Russian violations
Can Ukraine restore its pre-war borders? Why are Tomahawk missiles for Ukraine a'red line' for Russia? Is Russia testing NATO with aerial incursions in Europe? EU discusses'drone wall' to protect airspace from Russian violations The European Commission is in discussions to adopt a new counter-drone initiative to protect European Union airspace from Russian violations, as it seeks to strengthen border security with its own advanced drone technology after a string of drone incursions were reported in a host of EU and NATO member countries over the past month. The proposal, which was included in a defence policy "roadmap" presented on Thursday, will aim for the new anti-drone capabilities to reach initial capacity by the end of next year and become fully operational by the end of 2027, according to a draft of the document.
UK fighters to defend Polish skies after Russian drone incursion
Fighter jets from the UK will join Nato allies in defending Polish airspace after last week's incursion of Russian drones, the defence secretary has confirmed. RAF Typhoon jets will fly air defence missions over Poland as part of the military alliance's mission to bolster the eastern flank. Other allies including Denmark, Germany and France are already taking part - a jet from the latter was scrambled earlier on Monday in response to another potential incursion by Russian drones. Nato said that alert was quickly over. Tensions have risen across Europe since Poland accused Russia of the incident, which saw 19 drones enter its territory.
Belarus and Russia's show of firepower appears to be a message to Europe
Belarus and Russia's show of firepower appears to be a message to Europe In a large field 45 miles (72km) from Belarus' capital Minsk, a battle is raging. There are giant explosions as Sukhoi-34 bombers drop guided bombs. Helicopter gunships join the attack, while surveillance drones sweep overhead to view the damage. Together with other international media we've been brought to the Borisovsky training ground where Belarusian and Russian forces are taking part in joint manoeuvres. Military attachés, too, from a variety of embassies are observing the drill from a viewing platform.
Romania becomes second Nato country to detect Russian drone in its airspace
Romania says a Russian drone has breached its airspace - the second Nato country to report such an incursion. Romanian fighter jets were in the air monitoring a Russian attack in Ukraine on Saturday and were able to track the drone near Ukraine's southern border, the defence ministry said in a statement. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the incursion could not be a mistake - it was an obvious expansion of the war by Russia. Moscow has not commented on the Romanian claims. On Wednesday, Poland said it had shot down at least three Russian drones which had entered its airspace.
New Nato mission to bolster eastern flank after Russia drone incursion
More Nato countries will move their troops and fighter jets eastwards after Poland accused Russia of an unprecedented drone incursion on Wednesday. Denmark, France and Germany have joined a new mission to bolster the military alliance's eastern flank. Other Nato allies are expected to take part later. It came as the Kremlin said on Friday that peace talks with Kyiv were on pause, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov saying: You can't wear rose-tinted glasses and expect that the negotiation process will yield immediate results. Political tensions have been high across Europe after Poland said 19 Russian drones had flown through its airspace on Wednesday.
NATO to beef up defense of Europe's eastern flank after Poland drone incursions
NATO to beef up defense of Europe's eastern flank after Poland drone incursions NATO Supreme Allied Commander Europe Gen. Alexus G. Grynkewich speaks during a news conference on the violation of Polish airspace by Russian drones, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on Friday. BRUSSELS/WARSAW/UNITED NATIONS - NATO announced plans to beef up the defense of Europe's eastern flank on Friday, two days after Poland shot down drones that had violated its airspace in the first known action of its kind by a member of the Western alliance during Russia's war in Ukraine. At the United Nations, the United States called the airspace violations alarming and vowed to defend every inch of NATO territory, remarks that appeared aimed at assuaging Washington's NATO allies after President Donald Trump said Russia's drone incursion could have been a mistake. Warsaw has portrayed the drone incursions as an attempt by Russia to test the capabilities of Poland and NATO to respond. In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever.