Drones ensure a revolution in the war between Ukraine and Russia. The EU and NATO want other European countries to invest heavily in that kind of high -tech warfare. Not only because it has the future, but also because the traditional European weapon sector is for the time being.
In the battle on the front in East and South Ukraine, drones now have the upper hand. According to the Ukrainian army leadership, they are now responsible for around 70 percent of the dead and injured at the front, on both sides.
Drones also destroy by far the most military equipment, such as other vehicles. A few unmanned planes of a few hundred euros each can make short work of a modern tank, the production of which has cost several years and tens of millions of euros. In addition, they offer unprecedented opportunities for exploration and observation.
European countries want to reduce their military dependence on the US and become ready for war as quickly as possible. The Member States of NATO move towards an agreement on enormous investments in Defense and the European Commission wants EU member states to be able to defend themselves in 2030.
One of the big hordes on the way to that goal is the state of the European arms industry. It is known as fragmented and inefficient. In order to be able to respond adequately to, for example, a Russian attack within five years, Europe will have to focus on innovations such as drone warfare.
European arms industry is behind facts
“The conventional European arms industry cannot make the catch -up,” said the commander of the Dutch forces, General Onno Eichelsheim, earlier this week. “The European Defense Chefs are honest about that against each other: it will not work on time. We can do what we want, but we don’t get 2030.”
Eichelsheim spoke at a conference on European redemiation in The Hague, organized by the European Commission and the international think tank Clingendael. “We have to invest heavily in cyber, drones, AI, quantum computers and space travel. Those are the most important capacities for the forces of the future, not the conventional capacities that we have now. We have to change them quickly, probably faster than many people in their heads.”
To achieve that, according to Eichelsheim European regulations, European regulations must be simplified and the cooperation between the various European forces improves. Things such as a clear joint purchasing policy can offer companies and investors the certainty that is necessary to stimulate the European defense industry.
“As European Defense Chiefs, we have been calling for years that we only need one tank, one plane and one ship. And actually we don’t use it anymore, we have to have more drones. We agree, why can’t our system be done?”
Drone manufacturers also want to be able to work more smoothly
Last year, Ukraine sent more drones into the air than the most used artillery lovers. In the airspace, one innovation follows the other quickly: for example, drones with hail rifles hunt on other drones and an AI-controlled ‘mother ship’ can travel hundreds of kilometers to bring two lighter attack drones closer to their target.
The prominent think tank Institute for the Study of War recently wrote that Ukraine and Russia both try to develop drones that no longer need a human director thanks to AI. As a result, they could operate much faster and be better able to avoid countermeasures, such as Yammers . According to the think tank, it can take a while before such smart drones are used in significant numbers, but it is beyondce that the developments move that way.
At the conference in The Hague, several representatives of the European drone industry said to Nu.nl that they are happy that their sector is now the most popular dance partner on the ball. But if obstacles in the field of regulations and tendering are not removed, they cannot live up to that promise, they warned.
General Eichelsheim joined the spirit of that message. “The Netherlands does what it is possible, but if this is not arranged at the European level, we just don’t get the things we need quickly enough.”
Drones Are Revolutionizing the War Between Ukraine and Russia. The EU and Nato Want Other European Countries to Invest Heavily in this Type of High-Tech Warfare. Not only because it has a future, but also because the traditional European Arms sector is current Falling Short.
In The Battle on the Front in Eastern and Southern Ukraine, drones have now gained the upper hand. Accordance to the ukrainian Military Leadership, They Now Responsible for about 70 percent of the Deaths and Injuries at the Front, On Both Sides.
Drones also destroy by far the most military equipment, such as other vehicles. A Few Unmanned Aircraft of a Few Hundreds Each Can Make Short Work of A Modern Tank, The Production of What Has Cost Several Years and Tens of Millions of Euros. In Addition, They Offer Unprecedented Opportunities for Reconnaissance and Observation.
European Countries Want to Reduce Their Military Dependence on the US and Become War-ready as Quickly As Possible. The Nato Member States Are Moving Towards and Agreement on Huge Investments in Defense and the European Commission Wants EU Member States to Be Able to Defend Themselves by 2030.
One of the Major Hurdles on the road to that goal is the state of the European Arms industry. It is known as fragmented and inefficient. In order to be able to respond adequately to a russian attack, for example, within five years, Europe will have to focus on innovations such as drone warfare.
European Arms Industry Lags Behind
“The conventional European Arms Industry Cannot Catch Up,” Said the Commander of the Dutch Armed Forces, General Onno Eichelsheim, Earlier This Week. “The European Defense Chiefs are Honest with Each Other about this: It will not succeed on time. We can do what we want, but we will not reach 2030.”
Eichelsheim Spoke at a Conference on European Rearmament in The Hague, Organized by the European Commission and the International Think Tank Clingendael. “We need to invest Heavily in Cyber, Drones, AI, Quantum Computers and Space. These are the most important capabilities for the armed forces of the future, not the conventional capabilities we have now. We need to change toy, probable tea.”
Accordance to Eichelsheim, in order to achieve this, European regulations must be simplified and cooperation between the varouse European armed forces must be improved. Matters Such As a Clear Joint Purchasing Policy Can Offer Companies And Investors The Certainty Needed to Stimulate the European Defense Industry.
“As European Defense Chiefs, we have leg saying for years that we only need one tank, one plane and one ship. And we don’t actual use them anymore, we need more drones. We agree on that, so why can it?”
Drone manufacturers also because to be able to work more smoothly
Last year, ukraine sent more drones into the air than the most commonly used artillery shells. In The Airspace, One Innovation Quickly Follows Another: For Example, Drones with Hail Guns Hunt Other Dones and An Ai-Controlled ‘Mothership’ Can Travel Hundreds or Kilometers To Bring Two Ligter Attack Dones Closer To Their Target.
The prominent Think Tank Institute for the Study of War Recently wrote that ukraine and Russia are both trying to develop drones that no longer need a human operator thanks to ai. As a result, they would be able to operate much faster and be better to evade countermeasures, such as jammers . Accordance to the Think Tank, it may some time before Such Smart drones are deployed in significant Numbers, but there is no doubt that development are moving in that direction.
At the conference in the Hague, Several Representatives of the European Drone Industry Told nu.nl that they are happy that their sector is now the most popular dance partner at the ball. But if obstacles in the areas of regulation and procurement are not removed, they warned that they cannot deliver on that promise.
General Eichelsheim Echoed the Spirit of That Message. “The Netherlands is doing what it can, but if this is not regulated at European Level, we simply won the things we need quickly enough.”