Key facts
- Latvia's president warned Europe is not keeping pace with drone and aerial warfare developments in Ukraine.
- He stated many NATO countries would struggle to repel a Russian missile attack if the conflict expands.
- Technological developments in drone warfare are moving at "lightning speed," according to the president.
- Current efforts to prepare for aerial war could be obsolete by mid-2025.
- Ukraine possesses advanced drone warfare capabilities, while most of Europe and NATO face challenges.
- There are delays in supplies of crucial Patriot and other air-defense missiles.
Latvia's president, Edgars Rinkēvičs, has issued a stark warning that Europe is failing to keep pace with the rapid advancements in drone and aerial warfare observed in Ukraine. In an interview with The Guardian, Rinkēvičs stated that many NATO countries would face significant challenges in repelling a Russian missile attack should the conflict expand.
Rinkēvičs described the technological developments in drone warfare as moving at "lightning speed," suggesting that current preparations for aerial combat could be obsolete by mid-2025. He highlighted serious problems with air defense, drone defense, and anti-ballistic defense systems across Europe and NATO, contrasting this with Ukraine's capabilities.
The president's remarks come amid delays in crucial air defense missile supplies, including Patriots. Analysis of a Congressional Budget Office assessment indicates that the US has used nearly two-thirds of its critical interceptor stocks in the war in Iran, with replenishment potentially taking at least five years. While the US has considered outsourcing Patriot production to Ukraine and Europe, no agreement has yet been made.
Ahead of the United Nations General Assembly, where President Donald Trump is expected to meet with European leaders, NATO allies have intensified warnings about Russia's potential to escalate the war. Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk recently cautioned that Russia might launch drone or missile strikes against NATO countries supporting Ukraine to test the alliance's commitment to collective defense.
Rinkēvičs also voiced concerns about European allies meeting a benchmark of spending five percent of their GDP on defense, a target set by the Trump administration for continued NATO support. He acknowledged that discussions on Europe bearing a greater burden for its own defense are becoming more constructive but stressed that building "real capabilities" requires significant time.