The European Commission has presented its roadmap for "modern" and "high-intensity" warfare against Russia. A plan, as defined by the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs, Kaja Kallas, to "maintain peace". Because, as the EU's chief diplomat pointed out, Russia "does not have the capacity to launch an attack against the European Union today, but could prepare in the coming years". "The danger will not disappear, even if the war in Ukraine ends," she added at the press conference held this Thursday.
The document, which was previously reported by EL MUNDO yesterday and has now been made public, includes "flagship initiatives," as defined by the EU. Three, in particular: the anti-drone wall, the air shield, and the space shield. Regarding the first, officially known as the European Initiative for Defense against Drones, the EU states that by the end of next year, it should already start operating in what is referred to as the initial capacity. And that by "before the end of 2027", it should be "fully operational".
"The recent repeated violations of the airspace of EU Member States have demonstrated the urgency of creating a flexible, agile, and state-of-the-art European capability to counter unmanned aerial vehicles," the document points out, emphasizing that it will have a "360º approach". This means that it will also serve for the defense of southern countries, for example, although currently, the priority is the eastern flank.
"It will be designed as a multi-layered and technologically advanced system, with interoperable anti-drone capabilities for detection, tracking, and neutralization, as well as capabilities to target ground objectives through the use of drone technology for precision attacks. The anti-drone capability must be fully interoperable and connected among Member States," the document continues, also highlighting that "lessons learned from Ukraine" will be fundamental. The EU aims to leverage the vast experience of Ukraine.
The anti-drone wall will also serve to control "border protection, migration instrumentalization, protection of critical infrastructure, and transnational organized crime," the text adds.
The air shield, a long-standing aspiration of Eastern countries, "will protect the airspace and state functions of Member States". "EU programs will support Member States in achieving an integrated and multi-level air defense and missile shield, including the necessary sensors, protecting against the full spectrum of air threats and being fully interoperable with NATO's command and control system," the document adds.
And the space shield "is key to enhancing the defense capabilities of Member States and ensuring the protection and resilience of space assets and services against growing threats". Here, the Commission mentions areas such as positioning, navigation, geospatial intelligence, and secure communications.
However, the Commission's roadmap leaves some doubts and is somewhat vague in some aspects. For example, after explaining all the measures and repeatedly pointing out the dangers facing the EU, it confirms that defense remains a national issue and that countries will "take the lead". Adherence to the measures, they add in Brussels, is voluntary.
Additionally, no new investment figures are provided, nor is the cost of the measures specified. There is a reference to the commitments that countries have made to NATO to reach 5% of GDP in defense investment under the 3.5%+1.5% model. Also mentioned is the EU's SAFE program, which offers up to 150 billion euros to countries in favorable loans, a fiscal space of up to 650 billion, or the upcoming European budget. However, a more detailed and concise explanation of such a relevant issue is missing.