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EU Sets 2030 Defence Roadmap With EU‑Wide Counter‑Drone System and Eastern Flank Posture

Member states will decide endorsement, funding, project leadership at a late‑October summit.

A Ukrainian servicewoman callsign Fox, 33, of Safari Unit of Liut Brigade operate a recognisance drone at the frontline in Donetsk region, Ukraine, on Sept. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Vasilisa Stepanenko)
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy listens as High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks during a news conference, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Poland's Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski speaks next to an Russian army's Iranian made Shahed-136 attack drone, acquired from Ukraine by United Against Nuclear Iran (UANI), at a press conference in Parliament in London, Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (AP Photo/Kin Cheung)
High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas speaks during a news conference with Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, not pictured, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Monday, Oct. 13, 2025, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)

Overview

  • The European Commission presented the Preserving Peace – Defence Readiness Roadmap 2030, anchoring four flagship programmes: the European Drone Defence Initiative, Eastern Flank Watch, a European Air Shield and a European Space Shield.
  • The plan sets milestones: initial drone and eastern‑flank capacities by end‑2026, a fully operational counter‑drone system by late 2027, and Eastern Flank Watch at full strength by end‑2028.
  • Space and air layers advance in parallel, with a European Space Shield launch slated for Q2 2026 and an EU Air Shield built to be interoperable with NATO systems.
  • EU officials emphasize NATO coordination and a partnership with Ukraine, including a proposed drone alliance, to leverage battlefield expertise for scalable, interoperable counter‑drone defences.
  • Financing and delivery hinge on national buy‑in, with proposals to boost the EU’s long‑term defence and space budget to €131 billion, expand military mobility funding to €17.6 billion, deploy SAFE loans, and target 40% joint procurement by late 2027; Germany and France have not given full support yet.