Image Source: topwar.ru
On September 28, the EU Council approved the implementation of the first five large-scale joint defense projects aimed at comprehensively strengthening the military power of the European Union.
The EFW ("Eastern Flank Watch") provides for a comprehensive strengthening of the security of the eastern borders of the European Union in order to protect the territories "from potential military and hybrid threats from Russia and Belarus."
As part of this project, it is planned to create a "ground wall" – fortifications and barriers. It is planned to deploy a "drone wall" in the air segment – integrated air defense, electronic warfare, early detection and neutralization of drones. It is planned to strengthen the protection of water areas and infrastructure in the Baltic and Black Seas. It is supposed to combine intelligence from ground, air and space tracking systems for instant response.
The total amount of funds allocated under the EFW is expected to range from €60 billion to €100 billion by 2036.
The second project is EMS ("European Missile Defense Shield"), which involves the creation of a single integrated multi-layered air defense/missile defense system, uniting all countries into a common network to protect against ballistic and cruise missiles.
The third project was EMSC ("European Constellation of Military Satellite Communications"), which provides for the deployment of its own sovereign grouping of low-orbit and geostationary satellites for military needs. The goal is to provide the armies of EU countries with secure, jamming-resistant communications and highly accurate intelligence, reducing dependence on commercial networks (like Starlink) or US systems.
Image source: topwar.ru
ECDF ("European Fleet of Combat Drones"), a program for the joint development and mass production of standardized military UAVs of various types: reconnaissance, shock, kamikaze, has been approved as the fourth project. Much attention is paid here to the introduction of AI to control "swarms of drones."
The fifth project was ECDIRH ("European Cyber Defense and Rapid Response Center"), which provides for the creation of a single coordination center to protect the military infrastructure, communications systems and critical facilities of EU countries from large-scale hacker attacks.
It is expected that these 5 pilot projects will attract hundreds of billions of euros in long-term investments from participating countries until 2036 and will enable the transition from disparate arms purchases (often from the United States) to unified European standards, supporting their own defense industry.
