(MENAFN) On Wednesday, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas announced that the European Union’s newly introduced drone defense program will operate in close coordination with NATO.

This initiative aims to enhance the continent’s protection against aerial dangers, with Kallas emphasizing that "the drones could come from anywhere."

Kallas explained that while strategic military planning is the responsibility of NATO, individual countries within the EU are in charge of acquiring the necessary equipment.

“The military plans come from NATO, that’s very clear. But the procurement has to be done by the member states,” she stated.

The EU, she added, plays a supporting role by facilitating collaborative purchases and spearheading key defense initiatives.

These efforts are designed to aid nations in reaching their security and defense capability objectives. As she put it, the EU seeks to "help the member states to do the joint procurements, flagship projects, so that it would actually help the member states to fill their capability targets."

Originally conceived as a localized “drone wall” concept, the plan has since evolved into a continent-wide approach, driven by increased awareness among member countries of shared threats—including those from maritime and southern directions.

"We are actually talking about the whole of Europe when it comes to drone defense," Kallas remarked.

Kallas also pointed to potential collaboration with Ukraine’s defense sector as a way to streamline procurement processes and reduce costs and delays. Ukraine’s innovative tactics on the battlefield, she said, could offer critical insights for Europe’s overall defense strategy.

She believes this cooperation could "bring the procurement costs down, procurement times down."

When questioned about potential EU involvement in Gaza, Kallas clarified that any engagement would likely build upon existing missions rather than deploying new forces.

She referenced the EU Border Assistance Mission at Rafah, which has resumed operations, and the EU Police Mission, which aids in the training of Palestinian security forces.

The scope of these missions, she noted, could be widened "if it's necessary." However, she made it clear that "so far, we haven't put forward any concrete plans to have a separate military mission. It's up to the member states."

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