La OTAN ha deployed a new US-developed counter-drone system called Merops to strengthen air defence along its eastern borders. The decision follows several Russian incursiones de drones into Poland, Romania and Denmark.

Overview of the Merops System

Merops is a modular counter drone system designed to detect and neutralise small UAS. It combines radars, electro-optical and infrared cameras with AI algorithms to identify targets. Once detected, threats are routed to a local command-and-control system for manual or automated decisions.

Unlike traditional jamming methods, Merops can deploy small interceptor drones that physically disable or divert hostile UAVs. These interceptors operate autonomously even under GPS denial or electronic attack. The system is designed for rapid transport and deployment, although its performance depends on sensor quality, weather conditions and the complexity of incoming attacks.

“It’s able to target the drones and take them down and at a low cost as well,” said Colonel Mark McLellan of NATO Allied Land Command. He continued, “It’s a lot cheaper than flying an F-35 into the air to take them down with a missile.”

Rising Concerns Over Airspace Violations

Recent incidents have raised security concerns across NATO’s eastern flank:

  • Poland: Around 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace in early September during strikes on Ukraine. Allied jets responded, and Prime Minister Donald Tusk inspected wreckage from downed UAVs. Warsaw has since committed hundreds of millions of US dollars to new air defence systems.
  • Romania: Four military aircraft were scrambled in October to monitor Russian attacks near the border. Although no drones crossed into Romanian territory, the defence ministry authorised pilots to shoot down any UAVs that do.
  • Denmark: Authorities reported unidentified drones over military and civilian sites. The government imposed a nationwide ban on civilian drone flights, warning that violations could lead to prison sentences of up to two years.
NATO’s Expanded Vigilance Strategy

According to NATO spokesman Colonel Martin O’Donnell, the alliance plans to expand “multi-domain vigilance operations” in the Baltic Sea region, working closely with Denmark, Germany and Sweden.

Earlier reports revealed that Ucraniano interceptor drones have destroyed more than 2,000 Russian UAVs, including at least 17 Shahed drones, as part of efforts to scale cost-effective drone defence on the front lines.

Post Image Credit: Defence Turkey.