Allies consider urgent procurement and layered sensor networks to curb increasing drone incursions near eastern borders. Debates expose divisions over cost and overlap with NATO missions.
NATO and EU countries are actively discussing strengthening protection against drones on the Alliance’s eastern flank due to the rising number of drone incidents near the borders of Russia and Belarus.
According to Politico, these discussions unfold amid growing attention to security risks associated with the use of UAVs near the airspace of eastern member states.
On Wednesday, NATO allies reviewed a proposal for an accelerated drone procurement program, notably related to the incident in which a Russian drone injured people in Romania.
Position and Threat Context
On Wednesday, NATO allies discussed a proposal for an accelerated drone procurement program just days after the crash of a Russian drone caused injuries to people in Romania.
– Politico
It is noted that the Baltic states, Poland, Romania, and Finland are particularly concerned, viewing the drone threat as increasingly serious.
At a closed meeting, 32 NATO ambassadors discussed the urgent deployment of more drones to patrol the airspace over frontline member states, according to three unnamed diplomats.
As a direct consequence of Russia’s war against Ukraine, we are seeing more drone incidents on our eastern flank
– Allison Hart
One of the initiatives is the so-called drone wall along the eastern borders. The project envisions using a network of sensors, monitoring systems, and drones to continuously monitor the border area.
Among European countries there is not full unity on implementing such measures: some states support rapid introduction of new security steps, others express concerns about high costs, technical difficulties, and duplication of NATO functions.
In May, a similar incident occurred in Estonia, where Baltic air defence shot down a drone over Lake Võrtsjärv.