NATO uses fighter jets to stop drones. One ally says a Ukraine-inspired defense will handle them first.

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   NATO Seeks Cheaper Defenses as Jets Fire on Drones

   NATO leadership acknowledges that deploying expensive fighter jets to stop inexpensive drones crossing into alliance airspace is unsustainable. Allies facing repeated drone incursions are exploring alternative defenses, including a Ukraine-inspired anti-drone wall along a Russian border and low-cost counter-drone systems. A top NATO commander warns that the alliance front line now stretches across Europe following recent EU drone incidents. Secretary General Mark Rutte states that NATO plans to strengthen lower-cost counter-drone defenses to avoid relying on advanced fighter aircraft against cheap threats.

   Why it matters

   Alliance members along the eastern flank are actively seeking to harden their borders against repeated aerial incursions. Current operational methods force military commanders to expend costly air-to-air missiles from fighter jets against low-cost unmanned threats. Think tanks and defense analysts have proposed establishing dedicated multinational drone-interception squadrons to address the capability gap.

   What is confirmed

   • NATO has been using fighter jets to stop drones that breach alliance airspace.
   • NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte stated that the alliance will strengthen lower-cost counter-drone defenses.
   • Latvia is nearing completion of an anti-drone wall along its entire Russian border.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Czechia can produce 12 L-39NG Skyfox aircraft a year and has sold 40, including four reportedly for Armenia.

   What to watch next

   • Decisions by NATO leadership regarding the establishment of a multinational drone-interception squadron
   • Progress on Latvia completing its anti-drone border wall
   • Adoption rates of lower-cost counter-drone systems among eastern flank allies
   Sources used for this update (16)

   1. Business Insider — NATO uses fighter jets to stop drones. One ally says a Ukraine-inspired defense will handle them first.
   2. Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA) — NATO Needs a Drone-Interceptor Squadron
   3. Defense Express — Czechia Can Produce 12 L-39NG Skyfox Aircraft a Year, Has Sold 40, Including Four Reportedly for Armenia
   4. The New Voice of Ukraine — Latvia nears completion of anti-drone wall along entire Russian border
   5. Janes — Aero Vodochody showcases Skyfox Drone Hunter
   6. Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) — Options for a NATO Multinational Drone-Interception Squadron
   7. Technology Org — Jet fighters don’t have to waste missiles on cheap drones
   8. stripes.com — NATO’s front line now stretches across Europe, top commander warns
   9. Українська правда — NATO chief notes evolving threat after EU drone incidents
   10. North Atlantic Treaty Organization | NATO — Secretary General and Lithuanian Prime Minister discuss eastern flank defence, drones and support for Ukraine
   11. www.nato.int — NATO Air Defence | NATO Topic
   12. www.europesays.com — Anti-Drone Border Backed by Jets Is NATO Ally's Fix to ...
   confidence 95%