What is the ‘drone wall’ that Europe wants?

The creation of a drone wall in Europe is likely to be central to talks among European leaders this week, following a spate of incursions into the region’s airspace and increasing concerns over the security threat they pose.

Poland, Estonia and Romania — countries on Europe’s northern and eastern flank and close to Russia — have all reported airspace incursions involving either Russian jets or drones recently.

Norway, Denmark and Germany have also reported incidents involving unidentified drones in their airspace in last week, causing disruption to airports and air traffic.

Russia denies it’s behind drone provocations against its European neighbors, describing them as “unfounded accusations.”

Drones targeted Danish airports last week, causing widespread disruption, and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) were spotted near military sites last weekend. The government said the disruption was the work of a “professional actor” but had no evidence of Russian involvement.

European leaders, alarmed at the rise in airspace incursions and the security threat that drones pose, proposed building a drone wall to protect the region’s eastern flank against potential attacks and incursions.

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Here’s a brief guide to what form such a “wall” could take:

A drone wall is not a physical wall, rather it’s envisaged as a coordinated counter-drone system that could detect, track and intercept unidentified and unauthorized UAVs that are seen to be violating European airspace.

The proposal of a drone wall, which is particularly supported by Baltic and Eastern European states, is intended as both a deterrence and defensive barrier, as well as a way to pool resources to bolster Europe’s collective defense.

There are obstacles to the creation of a drone wall, namely its financing, management — given its cross-border nature and the diversity of airspace security laws — as well as issues to do with technical integration, according to Miriam McNabb, editor in chief of the online Dronelife publication.

“Europe would need to ensure that various detection sensors, electronic warfare systems, and command networks can communicate seamlessly across multiple countries. Beyond the technical and financial hurdles, there are also geopolitical considerations. Officials are aware that building a highly visible counter-drone shield could heighten tensions with Russia, even as they work to establish credible defenses,” she said in online analysis.

Experts agree drone defense is overdue but some Europeans have poured cold water on the idea, with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius appearing to pour cold water on the idea.

“I very much appreciate the idea of a drone wall, but we should pay attention to manage expectations. We are not talking about a concept that will be realized in the next three or four years,” he told the Warsaw Security Forum last week, calling for “drone defense, of course, but not by a drone wall.”

Nonetheless, NATO’s Secretary General Mark Rutte said Tuesday that the “drone wall initiative is timely and necessary” while Luxembourg’s Prime Minister Luc Frieden told CNBC he was was open to the idea. 

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Copenhagen is taking no chances as it hosts European leaders in the capital for an EU summit on Wednesday, and the wider European Political Community grouping on Thursday, after having beefed up security and banning all civilian drone flights until Oct.3.

Denmark’s defense ministry said a number of European nations had contributed anti-drone equipment, expertise and personnel to help strengthen the country’s defense against drones this week as leaders meet.

Ukraine, an expert in drone warfare after three years of war with Russia in which the use of UAVs as a weapon of war became commonplace, also lent Denmark its anti-drone expertise.

Security and defense will be central to talks at the informal European Council meeting on Wednesday, with how to strengthen Europe’s common defense the central theme of the meeting.

“EU leaders will discuss how to strengthen Europe’s defence, also in the light of Russia’s recent airspace violations in several EU member states,” the European Council said in a statement.

Such “provocations,” it said, demonstrated the need for the EU to “accelerate and intensify efforts to build a Europe capable of responding effectively, autonomously and together to common threats.”

European nations make up the largest bulk of NATO which agreed earlier this year to ramp up defense spending from 2% to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP) by 2035, given the ongoing threat posed by Russia.

Increasing drone incursions “very likely represent another example of Russia’s use of hybrid warfare to both probe NATO’s capabilities and test its resolve,” Michael Butler, professor and chair of the Department of Political Science at Clark University, noted in emailed comments last week.

“The key takeaway here is that NATO’s European members should and must develop more robust capacities for combatting drone warfare, such as the proposed ‘drone wall,’” he noted. 

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“From a strategic standpoint, given the timing one can’t help but see these provocations as an attempt by Putin not only to gauge NATO’s mettle, but to put strain on the trans-Atlantic partnership,” he said, intensifying pressure on Europe to act.

CNBC has contacted the Kremlin for a response to the comments, and its view on the proposed drone defense network, and is awaiting a reply.