Friday 03 Oct 2025 @ 13:10
Chatham House
Printable version

A ‘Drone Wall’ is needed for Europe to defend against a new threat

EXPERT COMMENT

The international reach of drones means that cooperation across Europe is essential to implement counter-drone measures against a hostile state or terrorist attacks.

Over the past week, a spate of incidents involving drone sightings over sensitive sites in Europe’s ‘home territories’ represents a concerning innovation of grey-zone activity.

Copenhagen airport was forced to close for several hours on 22 September, affecting 20,000 passengers. Two Royal Danish Air Force bases (Aalborg and Karup) were later disrupted by Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) sightings, closing the former site twice.

Similar incidents have been reported in Sweden (over the Karlskrona Archipelago), Norway (over Ørland Air Station and near Oslo Airport), Germany (over Schleswig-Holstein), and Finland (over Valajaskoski power station’s no-fly zone). Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen described the incursions as ‘the most severe attack on Danish infrastructure so far’.

Click here to continue reading the full version of this Expert Comment on the Chatham House website.

 

Channel website: https://www.chathamhouse.org/

Original article link: https://www.chathamhouse.org/2025/10/drone-wall-needed-europe-defend-against-new-threat

Share this article
RESEARCH EXPERTS EVENTS MEMBERSHIP ACADEMY ABOUT

 

Latest News from
Chatham House

Global health reform cannot wait for a new world order. Middle powers must act now

12/05/2026 15:25:00

The World Health Assembly in Geneva presents a narrow window of opportunity for action to save multilateral cooperation on global health. Three things need to happen.

The Trump–Xi summit: can progress be made on Iran?

12/05/2026 10:20:00

President Trump should not concede much on issues like Taiwan. But both powers have an interest in opening the Strait of Hormuz and making progress on AI safety.

The Iran war has left Gaza neglected

11/05/2026 15:10:00

With the world distracted by the Iran war, the situation is worsening in Gaza, where neither Israel nor Hamas are under pressure to make progress on the ceasefire plan.

Killing of development leader exposes insecurity in government-controlled Yemen

11/05/2026 11:10:00

Recent assassinations in Aden are likely to undermine confidence in the Yemeni government’s ability to maintain security for its civilians as well as international organizations and aid workers.

China will benefit from the Iran war, regardless of any deal between Trump and Tehran

07/05/2026 13:20:00

China will not displace the US as regional security guarantor, but it could play an important role building a new regional order, as Gulf states rethink their security strategies.

Germany rearms – but can it lead? Europe’s hesitant superpower in waiting

05/05/2026 11:25:00

Germany is ready to rearm, but faces many political challenges to achieve strategic leadership.

Mali attacks show security cannot be delivered by military means alone

01/05/2026 12:20:00

The latest attacks, following months of JNIM raids on Mali’s vital fuel supplies, show the need for negotiation at a regional, national and local level.

AI export controls are not the best bargaining chip

30/04/2026 15:25:00

US export controls on chips and hardware alone will not prevent China from further developing advanced AI.

Political deadlock has left Iraq’s Kurdistan Region dangerously exposed amid Iran war

30/04/2026 12:20:00

The stalemate over government formation is affecting the semi-autonomous region’s ability to deal with the fallout of the Iran war – and eroding its autonomy.

Believe in People