Key facts
- NATO is engaging European industry to develop solutions against unmanned systems.
- The second AIRCOM Industry Day focused on cost-effective solutions.
- Innovation in cost, production, and speed is needed to counter mass drone usage.
- Lessons from the war in Ukraine are informing NATO's strategy.
- European allies have largely compensated for U.S. military contribution reductions.
- A top NATO commander reported on the shift in burden-sharing.
NATO is intensifying its engagement with European industry to devise cost-effective countermeasures against the rapidly growing threat of unmanned systems. The recent second AIRCOM Industry Day underscored the critical necessity for innovation in areas such as production cost and speed to effectively counter the mass deployment of drones. These efforts are directly informed by lessons learned from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, which has demonstrated the significant impact of drone technology. The alliance recognizes that traditional approaches may not be sufficient to address the evolving nature of aerial threats.