POLITICO: NATO races to strengthen drone defences after Romania strike

NATO allies discussed a proposal to fast-track the alliance's drone procurement efforts, amid growing concerns over security risks along its eastern flank following a series of drone-related incidents linked to Russia's war against Ukraine, POLITICO reports.

During a closed-door meeting of NATO's 32 ambassadors, member states examined whether the alliance should urgently acquire additional drones to support air-policing and surveillance missions over frontline member countries, according to three alliance diplomats familiar with the discussions.

The talks came just days after a Russian drone crashed into a residential building in Romania, injuring two people and prompting renewed calls from Bucharest for faster delivery of NATO air defence capabilities. In recent weeks, NATO has also scrambled fighter jets in response to suspicious drones detected over Latvia and Estonia.

Romanian President Nicușor Dan underscored the growing security challenges facing the region following the meeting.

"Russia's war against Ukraine continues to create major risks for Euro-Atlantic security, particularly in the Black Sea," Dan wrote. "It is therefore important that NATO strengthen its presence and capabilities in Romania."

He added that member states had agreed to accelerate work on counter-drone initiatives.

"During the discussion, it was agreed to accelerate NATO projects on responding to drone threats, so that support measures for affected Allies can be approved at the [alliance's] Ankara summit" next month, he said.

NATO spokesperson Allison Hart said the recent incidents reflect the broader consequences of the conflict in Ukraine.

"As a direct result of Russia's ongoing war against Ukraine, we've seen more incidents with drones along our eastern flank," Hart said.

While no timeline has yet been established for any alliance-wide drone purchases, diplomats said the discussions have added urgency to efforts to deliver "concrete initiatives" on drone defence ahead of the NATO leaders' summit scheduled for July 7-8.

Unlike national militaries, NATO owns relatively few military assets directly, relying largely on member states to provide forces and equipment. However, the alliance can coordinate procurement efforts and guide member countries in acquiring capabilities that can later be placed under NATO operational command.

The discussions also focused on the security of critical infrastructure in the Black Sea region, including Romania's €4 billion Neptun Deep offshore gas project, which is expected to begin operations next year. Diplomats said allies explored whether NATO's military command should expand monitoring of aerial and maritime drone threats targeting strategic installations.

Separately, military officials meeting last week at NATO's military headquarters in Mons, Belgium, expressed openness to reallocating additional air defence assets to Romania in order to strengthen monitoring and interception capabilities against drone incursions, according to diplomatic sources familiar with the deliberations.

The issue is expected to remain high on NATO's agenda as allies prepare for next month's summit in Ankara, where leaders are expected to consider new measures aimed at bolstering the alliance's defences against emerging drone threats.

By Vafa Guliyeva