No alternative exists: NATO to reinforce its eastern flank forces with drones
Illustrative photo: NATO is convinced that there is no alternative to drone integration (Getty Images)
NATO has announced the completion of integrating drones into the forces deployed along its eastern borders. This is expected to take place by mid-2026, states Constantin-Adrian Ciolponea, a representative of the Alliance’s Allied Command Transformation, cited by Euractiv.
According to him, without such integration, NATO forces would face a "cocktail" of deadly drone attacks.
He noted that there was no alternative to drone integration and that the first results were expected by the next NATO summit (in Ankara in July 2026 - ed.).
In addition, the Alliance’s leadership has planned to turn drones into a systemic component of air defense.
Special attention is to be given to this area as part of the implementation of Operation Eastern Sentry, which aims to counter drones operating in the airspace of the bloc.
At the same time, Ciolponea did not specify where the threat of massive drone strikes could come from.
ISW analysts believe that Russia could become a real threat to NATO as early as before 2036 — the latest readiness timeframe indicated by Western military experts.
Russian sabotage and espionage activities demonstrate preparations for a possible war with the Alliance.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has proposed creating a drone wall to defend against hostile drones. The EU believes that expanding drone defense systems must happen quickly, given recent airspace violations in several countries.
From October 27 to November 7, the largest experiment on researching and testing new defense technologies is being conducted in Latvia and virtually across several NATO countries.
