The European Union Commissioner responsible for defence and space has said the continent has to get ahead of the curve when  it comes to the use of  artificial intelligence across the defence sector.

Andrius Kubilius (above pic) was speaking at the AI in Defence Summit 2026,in Brussels, billed as the first summit aligning defence, cyber, and institutional leaders on the role of artificial intelligence and deep tech in European defence.

He told delegates: “Without you, without AI for our defence in  the European Union, there will be no European defence readiness. Because artificial intelligence is already a reality on the battlefield. Used by China, and by Russia. Massively used by Ukraine.

“For us in EU there is an existential defence challenge – how not to stay behind. Not only behind our adversaries, but also behind our transatlantic partners. Our independence in defence depends on how disruptive and effective we shall be in the development on new technologies, and how disruptive we shall be in our mindset how to organise our defence.”

Kubilius added: “Just few facts which we know: Ukraine’s armed forces successfully use Artificial Intelligence, for example to assist targeting. And Ukraine is developing ‘mothership drones’  powered by artificial intelligence. The GOGOL-M Mothership can carry two attack drones, that deliver precision strikes at a range of 300 kilometres.

“But not only Ukraine is developing AI for drones. So is Russia. Russia is also using AI and Machine Learning for targeting. Russia is also building mothership drones. And Russia is now testing swarm drones of two to six drones. on the battlefield.

“And not only Russia – China is making big leaps forward on AI and warfare. In December China launched a huge mothership drone. Big as a Boeing, with a six tonne capacity. And just two weeks ago China showed a soldier commanding a swarm of 200 drones.

“Swarms like these could not only threaten soldiers at the front. But could be launched anywhere from ships. At all the coasts of Europe.

“We’re at the start of a revolution. A world revolution in AI warfare.”

Kubilius said Europe needs to unleash radical defence innovation not only on supply side, but also on demand side.

“Not only support transformation of defence industry but also use disruptive approaches to radically change procurement of innovative technologies, or military training and military understanding of modern warfare doctrines,” he added. “You cannot be ready for defence, if soldiers are trained only how to use traditional guns, bullets, and ammunition, but they are not trained how to shoot down kamikaze drones, because military authorities consider these drones inventory, which cannot be lost during training.

“That’s why we need to learn from Ukraine, not only how to produce the drone or how to put AI into the drone. But also how to create the whole ecosystem, which would allow industries to produce and deliver to militaries the most modern weapons, which were designed and produced during the last half a year, not only the years before.”

He added: “AI can make the difference in hitting a target. But still cannot always tell the difference between a tank and a tractor. We will always need human oversight.

“But the biggest obstacle is not in the technology. It is in our cooperation. Fragmentation and lack of unity is our most painful weakness in European defence. And that is bad for AI. Because we all know AI needs big data.”