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NATO to strengthen member defences against growing drone threats

NATO is mobilizing support to help member states bolster their anti-drone capabilities as Eastern European nations face escalating unmanned aircraft incursions linked to Russia's war in Ukraine.

LSN Malaysia · 5 November 2026

NATO to strengthen member defences against growing drone threats

The military alliance is stepping up efforts to assist member countries, particularly those in the Baltic region, Romania and Poland, in developing robust defences against drone operations that have increasingly spilled over from the Ukraine conflict.

NATO members have reported a surge in drone incursions over recent months, with unmanned aircraft crossing into their airspace in what defence officials characterize as a spillover effect from the ongoing hostilities in Ukraine. The repeated violations have prompted urgent calls for enhanced detection and interception capabilities across the alliance's eastern flank.

The proposed NATO support programme aims to coordinate member states' anti-drone strategies and facilitate the sharing of technological expertise and defensive systems. The initiative reflects growing concerns among alliance members about the evolving threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles and the need for comprehensive regional responses.

Eastern European NATO members have emphasized the importance of rapid implementation of these defensive measures to protect their borders and critical infrastructure from potential threats. The alliance's response underscores the broader security implications of the Ukraine conflict for neighbouring regions and NATO's commitment to safeguarding member security.