Here's Why Here's Why NATO Needs Better Drone Defenses
Sep 19, 2025
Gerry Doyle, Global Defence Editor and military security analyst, breaks down rising drone threats to Europe. He explains types of Russian drones and why cheap drones challenge current air defenses. He outlines what a detection-led 'drone wall' would need and compares technical countermeasures like radars, jammers, lasers and interceptor swarms.
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Drones Used For Recon And Probing Defenses
- Drone incursions can be intelligence-gathering as much as attack missions.
- Gerry Doyle notes the drones that crossed into Poland likely gathered force disposition and tested preparedness rather than causing major damage.
Drone Wall Means Integrated Detection Not A Barrier
- A true EU 'drone wall' is more an integrated detection and response network than a physical barrier.
- Gerry Doyle says the architecture doesn't exist yet and would focus on instant detection, tracking and clearer response chains.
Existing Air Defenses Are Misaligned For Cheap Drones
- Current air defenses exist but are optimized for higher-end threats like aircraft and cruise missiles.
- Doyle highlights the mismatch where intercepting cheap drones with expensive missiles is economically unsustainable.