European Commission prepares 2030 defense plan against Russian threats

Don’t miss the full story, whose reporting from Lorne Cook at The Associated Press is the basis of this AI-assisted article.

​European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen warned that Russia is conducting a “targeted gray zone campaign” against Europe through airspace violations, sabotage and cyberattacks that require an urgent European response.

Some key facts:

• Russia breached Estonia’s airspace with fighter jets and deployed drones over military bases in Belgium, Denmark, Germany, Poland and Romania within just two weeks.

• The European Commission is preparing a defense plan to be ready by 2030 to confront gray zone threats from Russia.

• EU officials believe Russia could be capable of launching an attack on another European country within three to five years.

• The plan includes developing a “drone wall” of high-tech systems to detect, track and destroy drones.

• Von der Leyen stated it is not sustainable to scramble latest-generation fighter jets to counter relatively cheap drones.

• The EU wants at least 65% of defense projects funded with its money to be based in Europe. Currently, European member nations place about two-thirds of their defense orders with U.S. companies.

• French President Emmanuel Macron called for shooting down drones entering European airspace and boarding shadow fleet ships transporting oil.

READ MORE: EU chief says Russia is waging a ’gray zone campaign’ and Europe must meet the challenge