At the Counter UAS Homeland Security Europe 2024 conference Sean Bittick, C-UAS and Capability Development Officer at NATO, discussed a key aspect of the alliance’s ongoing C-UAS efforts. According to Bittick, bridging the civil-military divide in countering the evolving threats posed by Class I UAS is a major focus for NATO currently.
This focus comes as the alliance recognises the increasing need for seamless collaboration between military operations and civil authorities in addressing the challenges posed by drones.
Bittick highlighted the complexities of the relationship between civilian and military sectors in managing drone threats, explaining that these two worlds, while interconnected, often lack effective communication channels.
“Coordination is key,” he emphasised, adding that countries must adopt “a non-parochial approach” to countering UAS threats. This means leveraging the strengths of both sides without letting bureaucratic or institutional boundaries hinder the effort.
One of the notable successes in this area has been seen in the United Kingdom. Bittick praised the UK for doing a “fantastic job” in merging defence and civilian drone efforts, using it as a model for how other NATO countries can address this issue. However, he was quick to acknowledge that even in the UK, challenges remain.
“Obviously nothing’s perfect and there’s still plenty of work to be done every day,” he said.
The evolving nature of drone threats, which have moved from non-state actors to state-sponsored use in conventional warfare, has further complicated the coordination required between civil and military stakeholders. Bittick explained that the rapid pace of technological change, along with the shifting nature of threats, has pushed NATO to rethink its strategies.
“The rapid pace of change is fundamentally reshaping the way that conventional wars will be fought,” Bittick said, highlighting the need for better integration across sectors.
Addressing the challenges
To address these challenges, NATO has embarked on a series of exercises and training programs aimed at improving interoperability between civil and military entities. For instance, the TRON 25 exercise will focus on building foundational UAS skills, combining military expertise with lessons learned from civilian use cases. This and other initiatives are designed to foster a greater understanding of how the two sectors can complement one another in countering drone threats.
Another significant obstacle Bittick pointed out is the need for legislative changes in many countries. While advocacy for these changes is ongoing, Bittick warned that such changes often come too slowly to be effective in rapidly evolving threat environments.
“By the time you do [get legislative change], it won’t be useful,” he noted, stressing the importance of working within existing frameworks while pushing for long-term improvements.
Ultimately, Bittick’s message was clear. The only way to effectively counter the growing UAS threat is through better communication, coordination and integration between civil and military authorities. This is not just about operational readiness but about fostering a new way of thinking about drone defence that is agile enough to adapt to future challenges.
Post Image Credit: NATO
