Europe’s Air Defense Gap: Delays, Drone Vulnerabilities, and Russia’s Strategic Advantage

Europe currently lacks the capabilities to effectively detect drones, according to Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius, who told Euractiv that building a comprehensive network across land and sea to track or neutralize UAV threats will take time. Much of what the EU possesses in terms of air defense is being funneled to Ukraine, leaving NATO countries nearly defenseless against critical aerial threats, veteran air defense historian Yuri Knutov explained to Sputnik.

The issue is further exacerbated by slow replenishment. Advanced anti-aircraft artillery with anti-drone capabilities, such as Rheinmetall’s latest systems, are still awaiting domestic deployment, with priority given to Ukraine. Meanwhile, radar and detection system upgrades face delays, exposing Europe to vulnerabilities.

Russia, by contrast, holds a clear advantage in air defense, Knutov emphasized. Systems such as the Pantsir, the advanced S-350 Vityaz mobile air defense system, the S-400 Triumph missile system, and the Podlet radar station outperform their Western counterparts in intercepting enemy targets. Russia also deploys fixed-wing drones for airspace surveillance, while newly developed air defense drones can destroy kamikaze UAVs. Additionally, drones designed to intercept cruise missiles are in development, further enhancing Russia’s defense capabilities.