NATO strengthens defenses against increasing drone threats across its eastern flank, highlighting detection and neutralization challenges.
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NATO is strengthening its defenses and seeking new ways to counter threats due to frequent drone incursions into the airspace of Eastern flank member states, including Lithuania. While not every intrusion is a deliberate attack, even accidental entries pose risks to civilians, infrastructure, and aviation safety. Recent incidents show increased activity; for example, Spanish fighter jets in Romania had to scramble numerous times recently. Lithuania has also experienced drone intrusions, some carrying explosives, originating from Belarus or Ukraine. NATO’s response involves continuous surveillance and interception missions by allied aircraft. However, challenges remain, such as the difficulty of intercept fast-moving drones before they leave national airspace, and the high cost of using fighter jets against relatively inexpensive drones. To address this, there is a push for more economical anti-drone measures, exemplified by joint exercises testing various technologies. Furthermore, NATO has launched initiatives like “Drone Edge” to invest over $40 billion in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years.
