In Thursday's proposal, four projects are being flagged: drone defense, air defense, protection along the EU's eastern flank and a defense shield for space.
The next few years must see a proper buildup of the EU's defense capacity, says Foreign Minister Kaja Kallas at a press conference in Brussels.
However, skepticism is great. Uncertainty reigns over who will decide what and how to avoid duplication of work with NATO.
Kallas tries to meet some of the criticism by assuring that it is the member states that are in control, among other things through the EU's Defense Agency, EDA.
It is the member states that decide how much to procure and develop and how and from where, says Kallas.
The focus should primarily be on protection along the EU's eastern flank, not least against incoming drones, with a complete system already by the end of 2027. Both the EU and NATO emphasize that it is about building a combination of surveillance, countermeasures and sensors rather than any complete "drone wall", which few see as realistic.
A first discussion about the defense plan is expected at the EU leaders' summit next week.
Wiktor Nummelin/TT
Facts: The EU's defense plan until 2030
TT
The European Commission's new defense plan includes, for the time being, four "flagship projects".
The goal is for the "European drone initiative" to be fully functional already by the end of 2027, while the project for better protection at the EU's eastern flank is to be expanded by the end of 2028.
For a European air shield and a space shield, the goal so far is only that the work should be underway during 2026.
The plan also includes the creation of "capacity coalitions" for development and cooperation in nine important areas, including artillery systems and military mobility.
A numerical goal also exists to make 40 percent of all defense procurements jointly already by the end of 2027.
Facts: The European Commission
