Europe rushes to build anti-drone shield as airspace violations surge
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, military drone incursions into European airspace have increased sharply. The EU aims to deploy an anti-drone shield along its eastern border by 2027.
Since the start of Russia's full-scale war in Ukraine, military drones have regularly entered European airspace. Drone crashes and unauthorized overflights are recorded not only in Latvia and other Eastern European countries, but also in Western Europe, near military bases and airports.
The European Union is responding by planning an anti-drone shield. This defense system along the EU's eastern flank is expected to become fully operational by 2027. Experts and officials are debating its potential effectiveness.
According to the program, the rising number of violations has already had political consequences. In Latvia, for instance, drone-related incidents contributed to the collapse of the government. Although the exact link is not detailed, such cases highlight the need for coordinated defense.
Will the planned anti-drone shield be effective against the growing threat? That remains an open question, but EU member states are working on a solution to protect airspace and citizens.
