Poland Says Europe Must Build Its Own Israel-style Iron Dome

Europe must create its own Israel-style Iron Dome to protect against missile and drone attack, the prime minister of Poland has said.

Donald Tusk said he and other leaders would propose plans for the £3.4 billion European Sky Shield Initiative (ESSI) to the European Council and Commission “in a few days”.

“Creating an iron dome against missiles and drones is necessary,” he said on Monday.

“The recent attack on Israel showed how essential such systems are. There is no reason for Europe not to have its missile defence shield.”

The Iron Dome was crucial in ensuring Iran’s April attack on Israel, with about 300 missiles and drones, caused no significant damage.

Mr Tusk said Europe was in a danger zone, just like Israel. He said it did not take much imagination to work out where an attack could come from, in a veiled reference to Russia.

In November 2022, a missile struck a Polish village close to the Ukrainian border, killing two people.