From 10 to 20 September 2024, NATO and partner countries are conducting anti-drone exercises in the Netherlands. More than 450 participants from 19 countries, including Ukraine, are taking part in the event, reports UNIAN, quoted by Focus.
The purpose of these exercises is to test the ability of commercially available anti-drone systems to work seamlessly together, the Alliance press service emphasizes. For the first time, Ukraine participated in the trials, together with representatives of the private sector and the scientific community.
NATO's annual Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Interoperability (C-UAS) exercise tests more than 60 counter-drone systems and technologies, including sensors, guidance systems, jamming devices and cyber interceptors in real-world conditions.
"Ukraine's first active participation in these exercises is part of the Ukraine-NATO Innovation Cooperation Roadmap approved by the leaders of the Alliance and Ukraine at the Washington Summit. Exercises such as C-UAS TIE provide a unique opportunity to jointly address pressing issues related to the autonomy and interoperability of unmanned aircraft, as well as to study Ukraine's combat experience in combating small unmanned aerial vehicles, the statement said.< /p>
Integrating counter-drone technologies into NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defense (IAMD) is key to strengthening the Alliance's deterrence and defense capabilities.
"At the 2024 Washington Summit, Alliance members took steps to further enhance NATO's readiness, response and integration for IAMD and agreed to support the development and implementation of an integrated architecture for air and anti-missile defense for Ukraine“, added the press service of the Alliance.