Bratislava – Slovakia has started to build its air defense with a main umbrella in the form of six batteries of the Barak MX system. However, according to Defense Minister Robert Kaliňák (Smer-SD), the use of such large systems against cheap drones is not efficient in relation to the resources expended. He stated this on Friday after a video conference with ministers from several EU member states and representatives of the European Commission (EC). TASR reports this based on a post from the Ministry of Defense of the Slovak Republic on social media.
“Every country is trying to find the most suitable solution for counter-drone protection, and today’s meeting was primarily about how to utilize European resources to finance such a multi-layered counter-drone protection,” noted Robert Kalinak. According to him, this is just the initial discussion about the project. “It will be further debated, and options will be sought so that the EU can also contribute to such equipment in the spirit of solidarity,” added the minister.
Discussions about counter-drone protection on the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) have intensified after Russian fighters and drones violated the airspace of several European NATO members, including Estonia and Poland, in recent weeks.
Representatives from Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Hungary, and Ukraine also participated in Friday’s meeting. The head of EU diplomacy Kaja Kallas and a NATO representative were also present.
EU Commissioner for Defense Andrew Kubilius stated after the meeting that countries on the eastern border of the European Union consider the construction of a so-called “wall against drones” to protect against Russian incursions into their airspace an urgent necessity. Member states should now cooperate with national experts to develop detailed technical plans.
The initiative is expected to be a topic of discussion during the upcoming informal meeting of EU leaders in Copenhagen, Denmark, and the European Council summit in Brussels, Belgium, in October. (September 26)
“We will seek options for the EU to also contribute to the multi-layered counter-drone protection equipment in the spirit of solidarity.” Robert Kaliňák
