Ukraine forced a rewrite of Europe’s defence. Drones costing a few hundred euros wiped out tanks worth millions. Iranian loitering munitions, piloted remotely and programmed to strike, broke through air defences. Missile reserves that seemed robust on paper evaporated in months.
France saw the warning signs up close. After launching air-defence missiles in the Gulf to counter Iranian drones, Paris discovered its own arsenal running critically low. In response, €8.5 billion is ringfenced for drones and missiles by 2030.
Under the Readiness 2030 plan, the European Drone Defence Initiative is deploying counter-drone systems, including electronic warfare, lasers, and mass interceptors, to neutralise low-cost threats without depleting expensive munitions.
A layered missile shield is under development to provide coverage across all ranges. MBDA has committed to increasing output by 40 percent this year. The EU’s SAFE mechanism is co-financing production lines and joint procurement, with France eligible for €15 billion under the scheme.
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