European Air Defenses Scrambled as Russia Employs Low-Cost Drones, Sparks Countermeasure Race
BRUSSELS – European nations are urgently developing defenses against a growing threat: swarms of inexpensive, commercially available drones deployed by Russia, highlighted by recent airspace incursions and large-scale military exercises. the escalating situation is forcing a re-evaluation of customary procurement strategies focused on expensive, high-tech weaponry.
The increasing use of drones by Russia, demonstrated by recent violations of Polish airspace and anticipated during the ongoing “Zapad 2025″ joint military exercise with Belarus, is exposing vulnerabilities in existing European air defense networks. “It is a problem that has been pointed out for a long time to prevent cheap drones with expensive weapons,” noted Charley Salonius-Pasternak of the Nordic West Office.
In response, countries are accelerating countermeasure advancement. sweden’s Saab unveiled the ‘Nimbrix‘ drone interceptor missile in August, while France’s defense agency has commissioned the development of laser-based interceptors.However, experts caution that relying solely on large defense contractors and traditional procurement methods may be insufficient to address the rapidly evolving threat.
Former French Chairman Thierry Wurkar argued for a more agile approach, stating, “Some equipment can be efficient to buy a short time and power it promptly, rather than considering maintenance for decades.” This suggests a shift towards readily available, rapidly deployable solutions over long-term, complex defense systems.
“Zapad 2025,” a quadrennial joint exercise between Russia and Belarus, began September 12th and will continue through September 16th, encompassing training grounds in Russia, Belarus, and the Baltic and Barents Seas. The Russian Defense Ministry stated the exercise aims to assess the combat readiness of forces simulating a local invasion scenario.Belarusian Defense Secretary Victor Hwenin previously announced the drills would include nuclear weapons and the introduction of Russian mid-range ballistic missiles, following the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons to Belarus in 2023.
Western nations are closely monitoring the exercise, recalling that the 2021 “Zapad” drills were viewed as a precursor to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in febuary 2022.Poland has responded to heightened tensions by indefinitely closing its border with Belarus, while Latvia and lithuania have increased border security and restricted airspace. Poland has also closed two border checkpoints, halting road and rail traffic, including freight trains.