Greece’s key proposals for EU defense readiness

The document, which will be discussed by EU leaders at next week’s European Council summit, is expected to serve as a springboard for identifying strategic investments aimed at strengthening the EU’s collective defense capabilities — at a time when Russian revisionism and shifting U.S. geopolitical priorities are pushing Europe to take greater responsibility for its own defense.

The Commission includes the development of a European Air and Missile Defense “Shield” (European Air Shield) in the list of four flagship projects for Europe’s defense readiness (European Readiness Flagships), about 17 months after Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and his Polish counterpart Donald Tusk submitted a similar proposal to Brussels in a joint letter to the Commission President. Athens has consistently promoted this idea, emphasizing the importance of a joint European initiative on such a critical issue.

According to the European Commission’s recommendations, the “shield” should be capable of countering “the full spectrum of air threats” and include the necessary sensors to detect potential dangers. Under the proposed timeline, the European Council should adopt the air defense proposal by the end of the current year, with the project beginning in the second quarter of 2026.

Another flagship project concerns countering unmanned systems (drones) — a topic that has gained prominence in recent months. The Commission appears to align with the call for broad coverage repeatedly made by Kyriakos Mitsotakis, most recently in early October in Copenhagen, during the informal European Council meeting and the European Political Community summit. This means the project will not only cover member states bordering Russia, as initially planned, but the entire EU.

The Commission notes in its roadmap that while “member states on the eastern borders face the greatest immediate threat from Russia and Belarus, such a threat could reach any member state, as recent incidents have shown.” “If there is a European program, it will naturally cover everyone,” Mitsotakis said succinctly to reporters in Copenhagen.

During the recent meetings in the Danish capital, the Greek Prime Minister stressed that strengthening the EU’s eastern borders must not come at the expense of its southern borders, which also face threats. He clarified that any plan to enhance collective defense capabilities must include the South as well.

Mitsotakis had also raised the issue of equal treatment for the EU’s southern borders at the March European Council, stressing the need for a comprehensive European security strategy, since threats are not limited to the East but extend to the Mediterranean and the Middle East. Other southern European leaders had backed Greece’s position.

The Commission adds that the initiative for defense against unmanned systems (European Drone Defence Initiative) will be designed with a “360-degree approach” and will aim to develop a multilayered, technologically advanced system capable of detecting, tracking, and neutralizing drones.

The document also aligns with Greece’s long-standing positions in favor of better and deeper coordination among EU member states for joint military procurement, which would help reduce acquisition costs and improve interoperability among national armed forces.

As the report’s authors note, less than 20% of the 27 member states’ defense investments are currently made through joint procurement — despite a 2007 goal to reach 35%. The Commission now aims for joint equipment procurement to reach at least 40% of total defense investment by the end of 2027.