Media: EU eastern states push Brussels to fast-track air defence funding

European Union countries on the bloc’s eastern flank are pressing Brussels to accelerate approval of air-defence funding amid increasing incidents of military drones entering EU airspace from Russia and Ukraine, according to people familiar with the discussions speaking to Bloomberg.

The EU has established several funding mechanisms to support projects aimed at enhancing member states’ ability to detect, track, and neutralise low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles. Countries, including Estonia and Finland, have already submitted proposals earlier this year under these programmes.

However, current proposals under review are not expected to be approved until November, prompting frustration among some member states, particularly in the Baltic region, the sources said.

Several governments argue that the timeline is too slow given rising security concerns and the growing use of drones in and around European airspace. Conventional air defence systems are often considered less effective or too costly for countering modern UAV threats.

EU leaders have previously called for improved capabilities to monitor and neutralise low-flying drones, and Estonia and Finland were among the first to submit related projects in early 2026.

One of the EU’s funding instruments for counter-drone measures allocates €250 million for border security initiatives, with individual governments able to apply for up to €50 million for joint projects. Additional support is available through the European Defence Industrial Programme (EDIP), which has a total budget of €1.5 billion.

By Sabina Mammadli