The European Commission presented the defense preparedness program to the member states 2030 year — a document called Preserving Peace – Defense Readiness Roadmap 2030, which defines the key areas of development of joint defense capabilities. The plan is a follow-up to the March White Paper on European Defense and the ReArm Europe package / Readiness 2030, which involves the mobilization of up to €800 billion through a combination of national budgets, EU credits and joint procurement instruments.
The act defines four pan-European flagship programs, which should become the basis for building the defense sovereignty of the EU:
- European Drone Defense Initiative — anti-drone system with integrated detection means, tracking and neutralization;
- Eastern Flank Watch — a multi-level defense system on the eastern flank of the EU, that will unite the air, sea and land security elements;
- European Air Shield — joint shield of air and anti-missile defense, compatible with NATO systems;
- European Space Shield — a new initiative to protect space assets and services, including systems Galileo and IRIS², with an emphasis on space monitoring, combating interference and signal spoofing, as well as development orbital services (gas station, service).
The launch of the European Space Shield program is planned for the second quarter 2026 year. Its budget and industrial participants are currently not disclosed, however, it is assumed, that it integrates existing national initiatives with European dual-use space programmes.
The Defense Readiness Roadmap also provides for the creation of 2027 year of the European Military Mobility Zone, which will simplify the movement of troops and equipment thanks to the harmonization of rules and the development of joint land transport corridors, by sea and air.
The approved program was another step towards strengthening the strategic autonomy of Europe against the background of geopolitical instability and the aggravation of security challenges from Russia.
Source: https://spacenews.com