The entry of the Russian – according to the NATO -Russian drones in Poland’s airspace on Wednesday (10.9.2025), that is, two days before the common military exercise of Russia and Belarus has begun, the defensive reflexes have been alarmed by the Northern-Atlantic Alliance and the EUespecially the eastern countries – its members.
The Commission may have approved (also on Wednesday) low -profile loans of 150 billion euros to EU member states through its Safe fund, but obviously it will take a long time until they are converted into defensive equipment … Until then, the east side of NATO, is dramatically suffered.
Germany and other NATO European partners are aware of the defensive gap, which can only be bridged slowly, Handelsblatt notes, answering 5 critical questions:
1. What is the state of the defensive potential of drones?
NATO military officials discussed last Wednesday, September 10, 2025, how and with what systems could the air defense be reinforced on the east side. The development of fighter aircraft such as the Stealth Jet F-35 and the directed missiles are accurate, much more expensive than the production of Russian drones. Equipment of billions of euros is fighting against cheap drones that cost a few tens of thousands of euros for their construction.
In Germany, Army Inspector Lieutenant General Alfon Mace described the lack of potential against drones as “one of our biggest weaknesses at the moment”. He spoke on behalf of the Bundeswehr, but the situation is no different in other NATO Armed Forces.
German companies have also criticized the situation for some time. Just in July, the German Aerospace Union sent a strong letter to the German government. In it, the interested parties criticized the lack of important defense technologies and the inadequate coordination between the competent authorities.
In an interview with Handelsblatt in February, Auterion Software Managing Director Lorentz Mayer called for a “drone revolution”. “Without the development of our own specialized drones, there is a risk of failing to prevent future conflicts,” he said.
Germany is now responding to the new situation by rebuilding its army’s air defense system. The Bundeswehr is waiting for weapons systems such as Rheinmetall’s Skyranger, a mobile air defense system mounted on vehicles.
Rheinmetall’s CEO, Armin Papperker, demanded in London on Wednesday that Europe should invest significantly more in defense against drones. “I believe that Ukraine must double its potential. But we must also invest in Europe. Because Europe has almost nothing, “he told the Financial Times.
Ukraine will receive Skyranger before Bundeswehr. The army is also based on the so -called air defense system for all troops. This also includes the use of weapons that are not mainly intended for use against air targets. Mace mentioned as examples the 30mm cannon of the Puma Infantry Battle Vehicle and changes to the system control computer of the system.
2. What does Poland require from its partners in NATO?
Prime Minister Tusk has clearly stated Poland’s request: “We expect significantly greater support for the defense of Polish airspace.” Defense Minister Vladislav Kosiniak-Kamis said Sweden intends to transport air defense equipment and aircraft to Poland in the short term. The Czech Republic plans to send three special forces helicopters to help the Polish army protect the country from low altitude drones.
Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans also pledged further aid on air defense. According to Kosiniak-Kamysz, there are also offers from Great Britain, France, Germany, Italy, Finland and the Baltic countries.
French President Emmanuel Macron has announced the development of three Rafale fighter aircraft. The aircraft are intended to protect the Polish airspace and the east side of NATO.
3. How does Germany react?
The German government has announced that it will increase its commitment along NATO’s eastern border. According to the Defense Ministry in Berlin, four Eurofighter fighter aircraft will be developed by Rostock-Laage over Poland instead of two. In addition, the growth, which was previously scheduled until September 30, will be extended initially until December 31st.
According to Bloomberg News Agency, NATO is preparing a defensive military response to unmanned aircraft attack in Poland. The aim is to strengthen deterrence along the east side of the alliance.
According to experts, Russia has several millions of functionally unmanned aircraft. Samuel Bendett of the Center for Strategic and International Studies estimates that Ukraine has developed about 1.5 million unmanned aircraft last year, while Russia, according to its estimates, used up to four million unmanned aircraft.
“All experts agree that we are largely defenseless against military drones,” said Green Party Security Politics, Constantine von Notz. “We must urgently change this situation as soon as possible.”
The German army talks about “maximum acceleration” in commission. The first drones kamikaze, the “Asul) defense system, and the interference devices against enemy drones are already reaching. In the long run, each base should have active defense from drones – but when it will be achieved is unclear.
4. What is the situation on the eastern border of Poland?
At a total of 1,200 kilometers of its eastern borders, Poland faces neighbors who are not part of the EU or NATO. The country is bordering the Kaliningrad Russian enclave, Belarus, Moscow’s ally, and Ukraine (535 kilometers), which rejects a Russian attack for more than three and a half years. In this respect, the goals in Poland are easily accessible to Russian drones, as they can also be launched by Belarus or Kaliningrad.
Warsaw is particularly concerned about the scheduled Russian-white-Corruption Sapad 2025 (West), scheduled to take place from September 12th to 16th. German Armed Forces Inspector Carsten Breuer expects that about 13,000 troops will participate in large-scale Russian-white-white exercise in Belarus and another 30,000 in Russian territory.
5. What are the possible consequences against Moscow?
In addition to strengthening the Poland’s air defense system, military measures are also being discussed. CDU security politician Roderich Kiesewetter described it as reasonable to “take over the air defense in Western Ukraine, that is, to incorporate air defense into the NATO defense system and break unmanned aircraft”.
This is a long -term requirement of Ukraine, reiterated by Foreign Minister Antriy Simbiha on Wednesday. However, no decision has been made, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslav Sikorski said. So far, Kiev’s Western allies have avoided this step to avoid an immediate military confrontation with Moscow.
But there could also be a risk if there are no consequences. “The political reaction, though delayed, was very clear and unified,” said Claudia Matijor security expert at Deutschlandfunk. “But if nothing else happens, Russia can really take a lesson. They can try a little more the next time. “