The anti-drone “wall”, proposed by the European Commission after the recent incursions of Russian drones, will have to demonstrate its “relevance”, estimated the chief of staff of the French army, for whom there is no “martingale” against drones.
The European Drone Initiative (Eddi) has the merit of showing a “clear will (of the Europeans, ed.) to respond to possible attacks and threats”, General Pierre Schill judged to the press. But “it is in the details and the speed of deployment where the relevance of this issue will be judged,” according to him. “Will it be a watertight wall along the thousands of kilometers of NATO borders? Will it combine means of detection and means of deep destruction? Will it be concentrated at certain points?” asked.
For the Chief of Staff, “in the immemorial combat of sword and armor, it is the sword that has the advantage, it is the drones that prevail over defense today. We have not found the martingale against drones, it is a reality.” The response will not be a single tool but probably a “combination” of means, such as lasers, interceptor drones or even jamming.
“Be prepared and let it be known”
Brussels wants the creation, starting next year, of a detection system using ground or satellite sensors, before providing drone tracking and interception capabilities between now and 2027.
From February to April, the French army will carry out, in particular, Orion 26, a large joint exercise in which allied nations will participate, which will constitute for the Chief of the Army Staff “a signal sent to our adversaries and our allies”, to be “feared” by the former and “recognized” by the latter.
Source: BFM TV
