(Strasbourg) Today, the European Commission presented in Strasbourg an “Action Plan to counter the increasing threats posed by drones to EU security”. EU Commissioner for Defence Andrius Kubilius said: “With the launch of this Action Plan, we are turning the concept of a ‘Drone Wall’ from a political vision into an industrial reality. To achieve true defence readiness, Europe must be able to protect its borders and critical sites with a sophisticated, multi-layered shield that can detect and neutralise any threat in real-time”. The Commission is developing “a range of tools” for “the industry and Member States to develop and acquire drone and anti-drone defence capabilities in Europe. This includes the Eastern Flank Watch initiative and European Drone Defence Initiative”. Commissioner Kubilius added: “By bridging the gap between innovative civilian technology and military requirements, we are ensuring that our defence industry can produce these essential systems at the scale and speed required to keep Europe secure and technologically sovereign”. The plan focuses on the civilian internal security dimension, “while complementing and supporting the work carried out in the defence domain” and “reinforcing civil-military synergies”. In addition, it “contributes to the development of a competitive European drone market, unlocking the potential for innovation, growth and job creation across this important sector”.