5 European nations to launch joint air defence, drone programme using Ukraine expertise

As part of a wider push to strengthen regional security, five European countries on Friday announced a joint programme to produce low-cost air defence systems and autonomous drones using Ukrainian expertise developed during four years of war with Russia.The initiative involves the E5 nations, France, Poland, Germany, the United Kingdom and Italy and is aimed at boosting European border security, including proposals for a “drone wall” to detect and intercept aerial incursions in European airspace, AP reported. According to AP, the project builds on Ukraine’s experience in drone warfare, where battlefield innovations have reshaped combat tactics. Poland is already cooperating with Ukraine through joint training and manufacturing programmes focused on drone technology. The collaboration follows incidents in which drones tested European airspace and airports. Russia has been blamed for some cases but denies responsibility.European officials say the new programme aims to provide cheaper interception options as defence spending rises amid heightened security concerns.“The UK and our E5 partners are stepping up — investing together in the next generation of air defence and autonomous systems to strengthen NATO's shield,” Britain’s defence readiness and industry minister Luke Pollard said. “We have some of the best kit on the entire planet for shooting down air threats. The problem is to be effective at shooting down relatively low-cost missiles, drones, and other threats facing us… We need to make sure that we're matching the cost of the threats with the cost of defense.”Poland’s defence minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said the countries signed an agreement to jointly invest in production and procurement under a programme called Low-Cost Effectors and Autonomous Platforms (LEAP). “Combat technologies and techniques are changing rapidly — we must respond quickly and appropriately,” he said.AP reported that when Russian drones entered Polish airspace in September 2025, allied forces used multimillion-dollar jets to respond to devices costing thousands.