In response to around 20 Russian drones flying into Polish airspace in early September and subsequent incursions into Romanian airspace, Poland and Romania have deployed the Merops drone defence system, a US-built AI-driven system capable of detecting and neutralizing drones. The system is small, mobile, and designed to operate effectively even when satellite and electronic communications are jammed. NATO officials emphasize the system’s cost-effectiveness compared to scrambling jets like the F-35 and its ability to fill radar gaps caused by drones flying low and slow. The deployments are part of a broader NATO effort to fortify eastern European borders and critical infrastructure such as airports, following similar disruptive drone incidents in multiple European countries including Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and Belgium. Denmark has also decided to acquire Merops technology. The drone threat and defence buildup reflect the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, where drone warfare is intense and continuously evolving, prompting rapid technological adaptation by NATO and Russia alike. The Merops system’s effectiveness has been tested in Ukraine, influencing its selection for NATO use.

In response to around 20 Russian drones flying into Polish airspace in early September and subsequent incursions into Romanian airspace, Poland and Romania have deployed the Merops drone defence system, a US-built AI-driven system capable of detecting and neutralizing drones. The system is small, mobile, and designed to operate effectively even when satellite and electronic communications are jammed. NATO officials emphasize the system’s cost-effectiveness compared to scrambling jets like the F-35 and its ability to fill radar gaps caused by drones flying low and slow. The deployments are part of a broader NATO effort to fortify eastern European borders and critical infrastructure such as airports, following similar disruptive drone incidents in multiple European countries including Denmark, Germany, Belgium, and Belgium. Denmark has also decided to acquire Merops technology. The drone threat and defence buildup reflect the prolonged conflict in Ukraine, where drone warfare is intense and continuously evolving, prompting rapid technological adaptation by NATO and Russia alike. The Merops system’s effectiveness has been tested in Ukraine, influencing its selection for NATO use.