The European Union has proposed creating a joint security mechanism designed to coordinate an urgent response when a member state faces drone incursions, cyberattacks, sabotage or other hybrid threats.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen unveiled the proposal as part of a broader effort to strengthen Europe’s ability to respond collectively to hostile actions that may not reach the threshold of conventional military aggression.
The proposed mechanism would operate in a manner similar to NATO’s consultation process. A member state facing a serious security threat could request immediate discussions and coordinated assistance from other EU countries. This could include intelligence sharing, cybersecurity support, infrastructure protection and cooperation between national security agencies.
The initiative comes amid growing concern over unidentified drones appearing near military installations, airports and critical infrastructure across Europe. Several European governments have also reported suspected acts of sabotage, cyber intrusions and surveillance targeting transport networks, energy facilities and communications systems.
EU officials believe these incidents demonstrate the need for a clearer and faster European response. At present, responsibility for dealing with such threats largely remains with individual governments, while coordination at the EU level can be fragmented or delayed.
Under the proposal, Brussels would also develop a common European framework—or “counter-hybrid playbook”—setting out how member states should respond to different forms of hostile activity. This would help governments determine when an incident requires national action and when it should trigger a coordinated European response.
Von der Leyen also raised the possibility of establishing a European Security Council capable of bringing together EU countries and key partners such as the United Kingdom, Canada, Norway and Ukraine. Although detailed membership and decision-making rules have yet to be announced, the body could provide a platform for addressing security crises affecting the wider European region.
The proposal reflects the EU’s growing focus on threats that fall between peacetime activity and open warfare. Drones, cyber operations, disinformation and covert sabotage can disrupt essential services and create public fear without prompting a traditional military response.
The new mechanism would not replace NATO or its collective defence commitments. Instead, it would strengthen the EU’s ability to respond to threats involving civilian infrastructure, internal security and cyber resilience while improving cooperation with NATO.
The plan must still be developed in detail and discussed by EU member states. Questions are likely to emerge over funding, intelligence sharing and the authority of European institutions during national security emergencies.
If approved, the mechanism would represent a significant step towards a more coordinated European security policy, allowing member states to respond faster and more collectively to the evolving threat posed by drones, cyberattacks and hybrid warfare.
