NATO commits over $40 billion to strengthen counter-drone capabilities

NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has announced the launch of the NATO Drone Edge initiative, under which alliance members will invest more than $40 billion over the next five years to strengthen their counter-drone capabilities.

Speaking at the NATO summit in Ankara, Rutte said the alliance is also establishing a procurement platform designed to accelerate the acquisition of counter-drone systems by member states, according to Clash Report.

"Today, we are launching the NATO Drone Edge Initiative. Through this initiative, allies are investing over 40 billion dollars in counter-drone capabilities over the next five years.

Allies are also committing to train five times as many drone operators in their armed forces by the end of 2027," Rutte said.

As part of the initiative, NATO allies have also committed to training five times more drone operators for their armed forces by the end of 2027.

Rutte further announced new transatlantic industrial cooperation agreements between the United States and leading American defence companies—including Anduril, Boeing, General Dynamics, Lockheed Martin, and Raytheon—and major European defense manufacturers such as Diehl, PGZ, and Rheinmetall.

According to the NATO chief, the partnerships will enable the production or maintenance in Europe of key US-made weapons systems, including Abrams tanks, AMRAAM and ATACMS missiles, Barracuda 500M drones, Small Diameter Bombs, and Stinger man-portable air defence systems.

By Vafa Guliyeva