New European Program to Counter Drones Quickly and Cost-Effectively
In an unprecedented move to enhance collective security and protect European airspace, five of the largest military powers in Europe _ the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Poland _ announced the launch of a joint program to develop low-cost air defense systems against drones.
The program, named "Low-Cost Effects and Autonomous Platforms," aims to produce new components at a rapid pace and at a significantly lower cost than traditional missiles, amid the increasing reliance on drones in modern conflicts, especially the Russian-Ukrainian war.
Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Błaszczak noted that drones have caused a "revolution" in combat methods and led to significant changes in armament strategies, emphasizing that reliance on expensive missiles to shoot down drones has become economically unfeasible, necessitating the development of more effective and cost-efficient alternatives.
For his part, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed that the goal of the program is to develop innovative systems quickly and at low cost, with the ability to produce them in large quantities at the same speed, while British Minister of State for Defense Procurement, Leo Docherty, explained that each participating country has committed millions of dollars to ensure the start of production of the new system components within just 12 months.
The program comes as part of European efforts to build a "counter-drone wall" on the eastern border, enhance cooperation within NATO, and elevate collective security in the face of modern battlefield challenges.
With this project, the five countries are positioning themselves at the forefront of the race to develop effective, rapid, and cost-efficient air defense technologies to keep pace with the rapid transformations in the field of drones.
