EU drone defense plan complements NATO for Europe-wide protection: Kallas

European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has outlined a new drone defense initiative designed to complement NATO efforts and strengthen aerial threat protection across Europe. Speaking ahead of a Foreign Affairs Council meeting on defense in Brussels, Kallas emphasized the comprehensive nature of the plan, which has expanded from a regional concept to a continent-wide strategy.

Complementary Roles with NATO

"The military plans come from NATO, that's very clear. But the procurement has to be done by the member states," Kallas told journalists. She clarified the EU's role as facilitating joint procurement and flagship projects to help member states achieve their defense capability objectives. The initiative originally began as a regional "drone wall" concept but evolved into a broader European strategy as countries recognized shared vulnerabilities from multiple directions, including maritime approaches.

Ukraine's Role in Defense Innovation

The EU foreign policy chief highlighted the potential benefits of collaborating with Ukraine's defense industry, noting that such cooperation could significantly reduce both procurement costs and acquisition timelines. Kallas pointed to Ukraine's battlefield experience as providing valuable insights that could enhance Europe's broader defense preparedness against drone threats, which she noted "could come from anywhere."

EU Involvement in Gaza

When questioned about potential EU military engagement in Gaza, Kallas indicated the bloc would likely work through existing missions rather than deploying new military forces. She specifically mentioned the EU Border Assistance Mission at the reopened Rafah crossing and the EU Police Mission that provides training to Palestinian security forces. Kallas noted that both missions could have their mandates expanded if necessary, but stated, "So far, we haven't put forward any concrete plans to have a separate military mission. It's up to the member states."