Poland and Romania have initiated the deployment of an advanced defense system aimed at protecting their airspace from threats posed by Russian drones, following recent incursions into NATO's airspace.
As reported by AP, the Merops system is designed to be compact enough to fit into a pickup truck. It can detect, track, and neutralize drones using artificial intelligence, even in scenarios where satellite and electronic communications are disrupted.
In addition to Poland and Romania, Denmark will also receive the Merops system, according to NATO representatives. The primary goal is to fortify the eastern border of NATO to deter any potential aggression from Russia.
The necessity for such technology became apparent when around 20 Russian drones breached Polish airspace in September, forcing NATO to scramble fighter jets at a significant cost to intercept drones that are substantially cheaper.
NATO officials noted that the Merops system enables cost-effective detection of low-flying drones, rendering them nearly invisible to conventional radar.
"This system provides highly accurate detection and can eliminate targets at a fraction of the cost compared to launching a missile from an F-35," explained Colonel Mark McLellan of NATO's ground forces command.
Merops can autonomously engage hostile drones or relay data for their elimination to ground or air forces. It will be employed to protect critical infrastructure as well as provide cover for troops in combat zones.
The investment in this system was made by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, although both the company and Schmidt himself have refrained from public comments.
The deployment of Merops marks just the initial phase of establishing a multi-layered defense line on NATO's eastern flank, which may take between two to five years. General Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, emphasized NATO's ambition to build a network of sensors and management systems capable of swiftly adapting to new technologies.
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has turned the region into a testing ground for drone technologies that are now being adopted in Europe. Merops was selected due to its proven effectiveness in Ukraine.
Brigadier General Thomas Lovin remarked that drones are rapidly evolving, and each new type requires a fresh response.
"We must be prepared for what Russia is doing in Ukraine," he concluded.