Belgian Minister Theo Francken Warns Europe: 'Everything Has to Go Faster' on Defence
Theo Francken urged faster air defense buildup as intelligence warned of more hybrid attacks and possible Russian drone strikes using shipping containers.
- On Wednesday, Belgian Defence Minister Theo Francken warned Europe to prepare for a "dark winter," citing anticipated Russian hybrid attacks in the coming months.
- United States intelligence warned last week of planned Russian drone attacks targeting France, Italy, and Spain, following reports of Moscow using shipping containers in the Mediterranean for launches.
- Lithuanian authorities identified Gerbera drones with a range of around 600km as potential weapons, prompting urgent calls to scale up European air defense stocks and production.
- Francken acknowledged Belgium historically underinvested in defense, spending just 1 per cent of GDP, and noted that addressing 40 years of neglect is impossible in 18 months despite doubled funding.
- To counter Russia's 50 years of hybrid warfare expertise, Francken advocated for integrating Ukrainian technology into European systems to keep pace with evolving technological threats.
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36 Articles
Theo Francken calls for stronger air defenses, faster military production as Europe faces growing security threats
"There will be more actions related to hybrid threats in the coming months. It will be a dark winter for Europe," warned Theo Francken on Wednesday.
BELGIAN Defense Minister Theo Francken has warned that Europe must prepare for new Russian hybrid attacks in the coming months, saying the continent faces a "dark winter."
Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken, participating in a defense and space summit hosted by Euronews, stated that "there will be more hybrid threats" in the coming months and sternly warned that "it will be a bleak winter for Europe."
Russian air attacks pose the biggest security threat to Belgium, and therefore air defense capabilities must be strengthened, Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken said in Brussels on Wednesday.
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