European leaders are exploring plans to build a “drone wall” along the EU’s eastern flank, following calls from Baltic states for stronger defence against Russian threats. Commission President Ursula von der Leyen endorsed the idea in her September 10 State of the Union address, calling it “the bedrock of credible defence.”
The initiative—already being tested by Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland and Finland—relies on Eirshield, a multilayered system developed by Estonian firm DefSecIntel and Latvia’s Origin Robotics. Using radars, cameras, and AI-driven detection, Eirshield can automatically jam, block or intercept hostile drones, including fast-flying strike drones carrying warheads. The system has been trialled in Ukraine, where it has successfully countered low-flying Shahed drones.
Unlike traditional air defence, which costs millions per strike, Eirshield operates at “tens of thousands” of euros per use, making it more suitable for the growing threat of drones. Developers say it could be adapted for NATO standards, with “peacetime” measures such as netting or small-drone interceptions to avoid explosions.
Funding, however, remains a challenge. The EU Commission rejected a €12 million joint funding request in August, though Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have since pledged their own national budgets—together worth over €30 million—to develop anti-drone solutions. Demonstrations are planned in the coming weeks, with governments expected to decide whether to integrate the system into their wider defence frameworks.
For now, the “drone wall” is still in its early stages, but supporters argue it could become a key element in Europe’s deterrence strategy alongside traditional missile defences.
