The project is certain to face logistical, political, and financial hurdles, anonymous sources told the agency
The EU’s plan to set up a so-called “drone wall” to counter potential Russian incursions is largely a symbolic gesture, as any real framework would face multiple hurdles, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the matter.
Western officials have recently reported several instances of drones violating EU airspace. While the bloc’s members mostly refrained from direct accusations, speculation was abundant in the media that Russia was behind the intrusions – a claim Moscow has denied.
According to Bloomberg, the instances triggered a rush in Brussels to explore countermeasures, including what officials called a “drone wall” – a coordinated bloc-wide system aimed at detecting and intercepting UAVs.
However, one unnamed official told the agency that the idea looks like “a PR label,” which “mask[s] a complex reality.” One obstacle would be to create a drone barrier in airspace crowded with passenger and freight traffic, risking collateral damage.
Another problem is to figure out who would coordinate the effort, sources told Bloomberg. The outlet also noted that the project could divert focus from the wider problem of the EU’s reliance on the US in terms of air defense, as President Donald Trump is pushing NATO members to assume greater responsibility for their own protection.
Funding is a sticking point and Berlin, according to Bloomberg, expects an intense debate at an upcoming EU summit in Copenhagen over how to finance defense projects. However, while Germany is ramping up military spending and expects other bloc members to do the same, it is against any joint borrowing, the report pointed out.
The Financial Times has reported that some of the EU’s western and southern members are not happy that the financing of the “drone wall” would benefit countries closer to Russia. In light of this, EU officials are reportedly seeking ways to sweeten the deal for reluctant members.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has criticized the idea, saying that “building walls is always bad, as history shows. It is very regrettable that this militaristic, confrontational policy of Ukraine” may now lead to new barriers in Europe.
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