NATO is deploying a new US-made counter-drone system known as Merops to strengthen defenses along its eastern flank, following a series of Russian drone incursions into Poland, Romania, and Denmark, according to the Associated Press on November 6.
Merops is a modular C-UAS system that detects and classifies small drones using radars, EO/IR cameras and AI algorithms, routes targets to a local C2 for manual or automated decisions, and intercepts threats not only by jamming but by launching small interceptor drones that physically neutralize or divert hostile UAVs.
Gimbal component of the Merops counter-drone system used for target tracking and surveillance. (Photo: Defence Turkey)
Iinterceptors use autonomous navigation to operate under GPS denial or electronic attack, the whole kit is designed for rapid transport and deployment, and its effectiveness depends on sensor quality, weather, and the scale/complexity of incoming attacks.
“It’s able to target the drones and take them down and at a low cost as well,” said Col. Mark McLellan of NATO Allied Land Command. “It’s a lot cheaper than flying an F-35 into the air to take them down with a missile.”
The urgency follows recent airspace violations:
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Poland: Around 20 Russian drones breached Polish airspace in early September during strikes on Ukraine, prompting allied jets to respond. Prime Minister Donald Tusk inspected wreckage from downed UAVs and confirmed that Warsaw is investing hundreds of millions USD in new air defense systems;
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Romania: Four military aircraft were scrambled on October to monitor Russian attacks near the border. Although no drones crossed into Romanian territory, the defense ministry authorized pilots to shoot down any UAVs that do;
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Denmark: Authorities reported unidentified drones over military and civilian sites. The government imposed a nationwide ban on civilian drone flights, warning that violations could result in up to two years in prison.
According to NATO spokesman Col. Martin O’Donnell, the alliance will expand “multi-domain vigilance operations” in the Baltic Sea region in coordination with Denmark, Germany, and Sweden.
Earlier, it was reported that Ukrainian interceptor drones destroyed more than 2,000 Russian UAVs—including at least 17 Shahed drones—as part of a programme to scale cost‑effective drone‑defense on the front lines.
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