The exercises went beyond testing equipment, as Ukrainian specialists helped reshape NATO scenarios around the realities of modern drone warfare.
Ukrainian specialists from the NATO-Ukraine Joint Analysis, Training and Education Centre (JATEC) took part in exercises in Latvia, where they advised military personnel from Alliance countries on countering drone attacks.
The LCI-X 3-26 Execution exercise was held as part of Exercise Baltic Trust. More than 1,000 military personnel from 25 NATO countries and Ukraine took part in the maneuvers.
Third phase of testing counter-drone solutions
Ukraine’s Ministry of Defence noted that LCI-X 3-26 Execution was the third phase of testing and implementing solutions to counter UAVs. Its goal was to strengthen NATO’s eastern flank amid the growing threat posed by unmanned systems.
LCI-X 3-26 Execution was the third stage of exercises aimed at testing and integrating counter-drone solutions in support of NATO’s eastern flank
– the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine said in a statement
During the third phase, participants moved from testing individual components of counter-drone defense to integrating these capabilities comprehensively at the tactical level. Their integration into NATO’s command-and-control system was also practiced.
Ukraine’s combat experience in NATO exercises
JATEC experts adapted the experimental scenarios to the realities of modern warfare. Even before the maneuvers began, they proposed changes to the scenario, and during practical episodes they refined drone flight parameters based on experience gained at the front.
Ukrainian specialists also coordinated the work of the simulated adversary. They supervised its crews, monitored compliance with drone flight routes, and ensured that threat profiles matched the planned exercise conditions.
The Ministry of Defence emphasized that involving Ukrainian service members with combat experience in joint NATO activities strengthens the defense capabilities of partners. Such cooperation also helps achieve operational interoperability between Ukraine’s Defense Forces and Alliance standards, procedures, and systems more quickly.
Protection for military personnel and tactical transport
A separate area of JATEC’s work is the search for technological solutions to protect tactical transport and military personnel on the battlefield. These developments are important, in particular, for safer evacuation of the wounded and reducing risks during movement in areas where drones are actively used.