NATO allies eye anti-drone systems: "You need it as soon as possible"

NATO allies are prioritizing the acquisition of anti-drone systems, with Poland leading efforts to address what experts characterize as critical gaps in the alliance's defenses against unmanned aircraft. A modern warfare expert has argued that Iran's drone operations against Israel and other regional activities have exposed NATO's failure to adequately adapt to the evolving drone threat. Poland is drawing on combat experience from the Ukraine war—where drones have become central to military operations—to accelerate development and deployment of counter-drone capabilities across allied forces. The urgency reflects a shift in modern conflict where relatively inexpensive, readily available drones have proven effective against conventional military infrastructure, forcing NATO to recalibrate its air defense strategy. The push signals that alliance members view anti-drone systems not as supplementary equipment but as essential military capability that must be fielded immediately.