Key facts
- NATO allies are considering granting their top military commander increased authority to intercept and destroy drones.
- The proposed changes aim to address a rise in aerial threats, including drone incursions and airspace violations in Eastern European countries.
- The new rules would allow Supreme Allied Commander Europe, U.S. Gen. Alexus Grynkewich, greater flexibility in managing air defense assets and readiness levels without requiring individual national approvals.
- The proposal also seeks to formally integrate NATO's ballistic air defense systems into its air policing missions.
- The changes are expected to be finalized by the NATO leaders' summit scheduled for July 7-8 in Ankara.
NATO countries are moving towards granting their top military commander, U.S. General Alexus Grynkewich, enhanced authority to intercept and shoot down drones, according to officials. The alliance has grappled with an increasing number of aerial threats, including drone incursions into Poland and Romania, and airspace violations in Estonia and Latvia, which have caused damage and injuries.
Negotiations are nearing completion for a proposal that would allow Grynkewich greater flexibility in managing air defense assets and readiness levels without needing to seek formal approval from individual member states. Currently, national caveats dictate how and where specific weapons can be deployed, creating a fragmented approach that allies argue hinders swift responses to aerial threats.