scorecardresearch
Add as a preferred source on Google
Friday, October 3, 2025
Support Our Journalism
HomeWorldSweden urges EU to simplify drone procurement standards

Sweden urges EU to simplify drone procurement standards

Follow Us :
Text Size:

By Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen
COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Sweden’s Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson called on the European Union to simplify procurement standards for drones while maintaining that responsibility for strengthening anti-drone capabilities should lie with individual member states rather than the bloc as a whole.

European leaders met in Copenhagen this week amid growing concerns over drone incursions, expressing support for bolstering drone defence measures across the region. Russia has denied responsibility for the incidents.

Last month, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a “drone wall” — a network of sensors and weapons designed to detect, track, and neutralise drones, though details on costs and implementation remain unclear.

“The EU is not a defence organization. (…) Every country needs to build up these capabilities, and then we need to cooperate very closely to be able to detect drones,” Kristersson told Reuters in an interview in Copenhagen late on Thursday.

He added that “EU has a very good potential of simplifying, for example, simplifying procurement standards.”

Sweden, home to defence manufacturer Saab, which specializes in anti-drone technology, has emphasized that decisions about equipping national armed forces should align with NATO targets rather than fall under EU jurisdiction.

European officials have accused Russia of escalating airspace violations, although Moscow has frequently denied responsibility for incidents.

Kristersson noted that EU nations are prepared to act decisively. “We don’t do anything carelessly, but we won’t hesitate to use the force needed to bring down vehicles or threats that actually violate our (borders),” he said.

To enhance security at the Copenhagen meetings, Sweden and other European allies deployed anti-drone measures. Sweden’s contribution was coordinated between Kristersson and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, he said. 

(Reporting by Jacob Gronholt-Pedersen; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

Disclaimer: This report is auto generated from the Reuters news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.

Subscribe to our channels on YouTube, Telegram & WhatsApp

Support Our Journalism

India needs fair, non-hyphenated and questioning journalism, packed with on-ground reporting. ThePrint – with exceptional reporters, columnists and editors – is doing just that.

Sustaining this needs support from wonderful readers like you.

Whether you live in India or overseas, you can take a paid subscription by clicking here.

Support Our Journalism

  • Tags

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Most Popular