Baltic states plan a drone defense “wall,” while Romania and Bulgaria lack unified plans for Black Sea protection against Russian threats.
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Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Finland, and Norway plan to create a “drone wall” using unmanned aerial vehicles to protect their external borders against threats from Russia and Belarus. In contrast, Romania and Bulgaria lack a unified defense plan for the Black Sea region, despite Russian drone fragments falling there after attacks on Ukraine. While EU sources welcome member state initiatives supporting Ukraine, centralized coordination is being discussed as more efficient than bilateral efforts. Poland and the Baltic states have proposed this barrier concept to the EU presidency, which could cost over 2.5 billion euros for the border with Russia and Belarus. The initiative currently excludes the Black Sea. An expert suggests a defense line should extend from the Baltic to the Black Sea, urging Bulgaria not to neglect the Black Sea while focusing on Baltic initiatives. Bulgaria is noted as a weak point in NATO, relying mainly on outdated Soviet weaponry and lacking modern 3D radar, though it is developing its own drone capabilities. Romania possesses advanced detection systems like the TPS-79 radar and interception capabilities with Patriot missiles, but for smaller threats like Shahed drones, anti-aircraft artillery such as Gepard and Oerlikon systems are more suitable. Romania is also acquiring electronic counter-drone systems and short-range missile launchers. Bulgaria’s defense strategy remains uncertain due to political instability, while the broader context involves hybrid threats like disinformation and cyberattacks across the region.
