This week, the European Parliament is talking a lot about drone warfare. Lawmakers are worried about Europe's defence. They think Europe is not strong enough. Geopolitical problems are also making them nervous. They want Europe to be more self-reliant. Drones are a big concern because they are getting more advanced.
These talks happened after important meetings. They show that fighting wars has changed. Ukraine's President Zelenskyy spoke strongly. He said Europe is too slow to act. He compared Europe to being in "Greenland mode." This means waiting for others to help. Some EU countries worry about depending too much on other nations for safety. Changes in US foreign policy also cause anxiety.
A Member of the European Parliament from Cyprus, Costas Mavrides, spoke about industry. He said European small businesses already make defence products. He wants to help these businesses grow. He said they need easier rules and more money. Cooperation between different businesses is also important.
Recent events make these discussions urgent. Russian drones flew into Polish airspace last year. Turkish drones flew over Cyprus last summer. These events show that defence needs to be better. Europe needs a strong system to stop threats. This system must handle new types of attacks.
Europe wants to be more independent in defence. This means looking at its relationship with the US. Leaders like Charles Michel and Ursula von der Leyen are leading these talks. They want a united Europe. They are also thinking about alliances like NATO. They want a strong European defence identity.
The defence industry in Europe needs to innovate. They need to make more drones and systems to stop drones. This is a big challenge. It needs new technology and political support. Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen and President Emmanuel Macron support this. Chancellor Friedrich Merz also thinks Europe needs stronger defence.
This is an important time for Europe. War is changing, and Europe must protect itself. By improving its defence industry and working together, Europe can become stronger. It wants to be less vulnerable and more self-sufficient. The next few months will show if these plans lead to action.