The European Parliament's Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE) has adopted a new report on drones and new defence systems. The report emphasises the need to adapt the EU's defence capabilities based on lessons from Ukraine, reduce dependency on Chinese components, and establish a European "drone wall".

The report claims that the widespread use of drones and weapon systems capable of engaging ground targets with high precision has fundamentally changed the modern combat environment. The text particularly highlights how drones have evolved from support functions to becoming central combat assets, which imposes new demands on air defence and operational doctrines. The report was prepared by rapporteur Reinis Pozņaks.

A central point in the report is Europe's vulnerability regarding supply chains. According to the document, China holds a dominant position concerning components such as semiconductors, batteries, and sensors. The report warns that Chinese export restrictions on rare earth elements pose a strategic threat to the EU's defence readiness and calls for immediate measures to secure alternative sources and increase domestic recycling capacity.

To strengthen the EU's capability, the establishment of a "drone wall" for surveillance and defence of the union's external borders is proposed. The wall is suggested to include advanced detection and various counter-drone measures: frontline units should be equipped with a wide range of C-UAS (Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems) capabilities to address threats from unmanned vehicles, including specialised rifles, interceptor drones and robots, remote-controlled weapon stations, and electronic warfare systems.

Furthermore, member states are urged to establish regional manufacturing clusters and stockpile critical components rather than only complete systems, to ensure rapid repair and replacement of materiel.

The text also expresses scepticism over delays in existing cooperation projects, with Eurodrone specifically pointed out as an example where the timeline has not been maintained.

The report also underscores the importance of deepened cooperation with Ukraine. The Parliament recommends that Ukrainian experiences be integrated into the EU's training and certification processes and that joint programmes for knowledge transfer be institutionalised.

Regarding financing and procurement, the report stresses the need to simplify bureaucracy to enable faster acquisition and support small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The committee urges the Commission to use existing financial instruments, such as the European Defence Fund (EDF), to prioritise projects that strengthen Europe's technological independence.