Five European Countries Group to Collaborate on Drone Development
According to a report by Reference News Network on February 23, Reuters reported on February 20 that the five major defense powers in Europe will announce a plan to invest in military drones, aimed at further boosting the European defense industry.
According to a document seen by Reuters and a source from the Polish Ministry of Defense, the five European countries are planning to collaborate on the development of autonomous drones. The conflict in Ukraine has demonstrated that autonomous intercepting drones can serve as an effective alternative to costly air defense missiles, and Kyiv's European allies are eager to learn from this experience.
The defense ministers of the European Five (E5) held a meeting on the 20th in Krakow, Poland. This group brings together the five countries with the highest military spending in continental Europe, including France, Germany, Italy, Poland, and the United Kingdom.
The meeting comes at a time when European leaders are keen to enhance their autonomous defense capabilities, amid growing concerns about Washington's commitment to protecting the European continent through NATO.
The statement said that the ministers "support practical improvements to the foundational production capacity of the European defense industry" and "welcome the EU's provision of greater fiscal flexibility for defense spending to member states and the creation of lending tools."
The statement also noted that the ministers committed to jointly addressing Russia's hybrid threats within the frameworks of NATO and the EU, and to continue supporting Ukraine and promoting efforts for peace.
The statement said: "We agree to launch the 'Low-Cost Effectors and Autonomous Platforms' initiative, aimed at strengthening our cooperation in the research, development, and procurement of low-cost effectors and autonomous platforms." (Translated by Lin Chaohui)
Five European defense ministers announced a collaborative initiative to develop military drones during a meeting in Krakow, Poland, on February 20, 2023. This plan aims to enhance the European defense industry and address concerns over reliance on U.S. military support. The ministers committed to improving defense capabilities and welcomed EU financial flexibility for defense spending.
- Five European defense powers are collaborating on military drone development.
- The initiative aims to boost the European defense industry.
- The meeting took place in Krakow, Poland, on February 20, 2023.
- The ministers emphasized the need for increased defense spending flexibility within the EU.
- The initiative includes a focus on low-cost effectors and autonomous platforms.