At a major security conference in Vilnius, the EU’s Defence Commissioner says Europe must scale drone and counter-drone systems fast as threats rise on NATO’s eastern flank.
A Clear Warning from Vilnius
Andrius Kubilius, the European Commissioner for Defence and Space, opened the Defending Baltics 2025 conference in Vilnius with a direct message. He said Europe is not ready for the level of drone warfare Russia is preparing for. His remarks reflect the latest intelligence and the lessons learned from Ukraine’s battlefield over the last three years.
Kubilius asked why it has taken Europe more than two years to understand the full scale of the drone threat. He said the Baltic region could be a preferred target if Russia decides to test NATO. His comments reflect growing concern across the eastern flank as Russia expands drone production and increases pressure along the borders of Ukraine, Poland, and the Baltic States.
A Conference Built Around Ukraine’s Experience
Defending Baltics 2025 is a high level meeting focused on war lessons from Ukraine. The program brings together military leaders, European Commission officials, defence analysts, and representatives from the drone and counter drone industry. Speakers examine how Ukraine’s rapid innovation with FPV platforms, reconnaissance drones, and battlefield data tools can shape NATO standards.
Sessions focus on integrated air defence, mass drone manufacturing, electronic warfare, and the need for a clear European plan for the eastern flank. The European Commission is using the event to highlight a larger shift inside the EU. Leaders want Ukraine’s hard earned battlefield knowledge to become part of Europe’s own defence architecture.
Why the Speech Matters Now
Kubilius’s speech reflects a larger pattern of events in recent months.
Russian drone attacks on Ukraine have intensified. Debris from Russian drones has fallen in Poland and Romania. NATO fighters intercepted drones near alliance borders this fall. Investigators in Poland linked a recent rail sabotage incident to foreign state activity. The Baltic States continue to report GPS interference near military and civilian airports.
The European Commission’s own assessments say Russia could test NATO within two to four years. That estimate comes from several intelligence sources and lines up with comments made in Vilnius. Kubilius said Europe must prepare for the type of mass drone operations that Ukraine faces every day.
Learning From Ukraine’s Drone Advantage
A major theme in Vilnius is the need to integrate Ukrainian capability into European defence planning. Kubilius said Ukraine has become an essential source of real world drone warfare knowledge. He also suggested that, after peace is achieved, Ukrainian units could help support defence in Lithuania and other Baltic States.
Ukraine’s rapid development cycle for FPV drones, surveillance platforms, electronic warfare tools, and low cost countermeasures is a model that Europe now hopes to adopt. This is especially true as Russia continues to build large numbers of loitering munitions and uses them across long distances.
Europe Faces a Scaling Problem
One of the most urgent issues raised at the conference is scale. Kubilius said Russia may soon be capable of producing several million drones a year. European defence officials also say the continent does not yet have the manufacturing capacity or integrated command systems required to counter a mass drone threat.
NATO members in the Baltics and Nordics have called for a layered defence system that includes sensors, radar, AI fused airspace awareness, electronic warfare platforms, and proven point defence tools. Kubilius stressed that the solutions must be cost effective and must draw on Ukraine’s experience.
What Comes Next
The Defending Baltics 2025 conference arrives at a moment of change for European defence planning. The European Commission is advancing new initiatives to grow domestic defence manufacturing and support Ukraine at the same time. The Vilnius discussions show that drone and counter drone technology will sit at the center of that shift.
For the drone industry, the message is clear. Europe needs faster production, simpler integration, and reliable countermeasures that can survive a contested environment. Kubilius’s speech marks a new phase in European security thinking, shaped by lessons from Ukraine and by growing concern over Russia’s long term plans.
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Miriam McNabb is the Editor-in-Chief of DRONELIFE and CEO of JobForDrones, a professional drone services marketplace, and a fascinated observer of the emerging drone industry and the regulatory environment for drones. Miriam has penned over 3,000 articles focused on the commercial drone space and is an international speaker and recognized figure in the industry. Miriam has a degree from the University of Chicago and over 20 years of experience in high tech sales and marketing for new technologies.
For drone industry consulting or writing, Email Miriam.
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