Within the project “Wall of Drones” of the European Commission, the Germany takes some steps. Yesterday the German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced during a NATO meeting in Brussels that Berlin intends invest 10 billion of euros in the next few years for strengthen its fleet of military drones, a few days after the German Government granted the police the power to shoot down unauthorized drones, in response to the numerous problems created at airports across Europe.
Meanwhile the German manufacturer of drones Quantum Systems it equips itself with a financial strengthening of 150 million euros, which could triple its valuation to 3 billion euros. The startup, whose new “Jaeger” drone It is designed to intercept hostile unmanned aircraft, has seen asurge in demand Following recent drone raids over major airports, reports Reuters citing Store ManagerIt is expected that the Quantum turnover will reach 300 million euros in 2025 and exceed 500 million euros in 2026. Quantum plans to grow by acquiring startups and technology providers in the short term, sources add, predicting an even larger second round of funding in 2026, which could bring the company valuation at 5 billion euros.
Germany is ready to take the lead in the "drone wall," but NATO is not on board.
Pistorius welcomed the drone defense plan presented by NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, citing recent incursions into the airspace of countries such as Poland and Estonia. "Germany will naturally make a visible contribution in this area, and, above all, we want to ensure that the multiple measures integrate seamlessly, like cogs in the same mechanism," the Defense Minister told reporters in Brussels, according to the agency. Bloomberg.
Pistorius further explained that the purchases will concern drones of all types and altitudes, including both defensive and offensive means. At the beginning of October the Germany announced of grant to the police the power of shoot down drones that violate German airspace and unauthorized like those who created problems at airports across Europe and which some European leaders have attributed to the hybrid warfare waged by the RussiaIn early October, dozens of flights were diverted or cancelled.Munich Airport, Germany's second largest, leaving more than 10.000 passengers stranded following sightings of unauthorized drones.
Minister Pistorius also stressed that the Germany is ready to take the lead of the project one of the flagship initiatives of the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen – former German Defense Minister, described as a wall of drones, that is, a network of sensors and weapons to detect, track, and neutralize intruding unmanned aircraft, to protect Europe's eastern flank. The Commission's goal is to improve the survey drones to define the response once identified. "We cannot wait for events to hit us before acting: we need collective political will," said the Commission, confirming that resources already exist, such as Safe program funds (an acronym which stands for “Security action for Europe”, with a budget of 150 billion for loans at subsidized rates), with 43 billion already earmarked for Poland and 17 to the Romania.
Il drone project is seen as a test to test the EU's ambitions to play a greater role in defense, traditionally the preserve of national governments and NATO, as well as Europe's ability to take greater responsibility for its own security, as called for by US President Donald Trump.
Waiting for the presentation of the road map of European Union for defense, while defensive objectives will be on the agenda of the European Council on 23 October in Brussels. According to Defence Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, the anti-drone wall is part of a larger project, theEastern Flank Watch (Eastern Flank Guard), “flagship defense project aimed at protecting the entire European Union” which will have a “land” component (for example anti-tank trenches), “maritime security for the Baltic Sea and the Black Sea” and “space measures”. The problem is that in the last few hours internal sources within theAtlantic AllianceThey leaked a message: “It's fine that the European Union has brought the issue to the fore, but the responsibility lies with us.”
