00:00The European Union is pressing ahead with plans for a drone wall to protect member states from aerial incursions.
00:07NATO Chief Mark Root says on Wednesday that the project is a joint effort,
00:11with NATO providing military capabilities, while the EU uses its internal market and funding tools to support it.
00:18The initiative comes amid rising hybrid threats following multiple drone incidents near NATO's eastern flank.
00:25Britain's Defence Secretary John Healy announced that UK fighter jets will continue patrols over Poland until the end of the year.
00:34Some 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace last month.
00:39EU Defence Commissioner Andreas Kobilius, who is leading the effort, said the bloc's capability is limited,
00:45needing to rely heavily on Ukraine's expertise in countering Russian drone attacks.
00:50The European Commission is also trying to broaden support among Southern and Western EU members,
00:57who argue the project should cover the entire continent, not just the eastern flank.
01:03Diplomats say the initiative is caught up in a power struggle over who should oversee major defence projects,
01:10with Germany and France reluctant to cede control to Brussels.
01:14Analysts note the drone wall will test Europe's ability to take greater responsibility for its own defence,
01:20a goal long advocated by US President Donald Trump.
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