NATO Boosts Air Defenses with Anti-Drone Tech
In the wake of heightened concerns over unauthorized aerial incursions throughout Europe, a surge in the deployment of advanced anti-drone technology is reshaping NATO’s approach to airspace defense. According to the article “This anti-drone tech is used in Ukraine, NATO airspace after flyovers,” published by Defense News, a growing number of Western militaries are turning to a portable radio-frequency detection and jamming system developed by French technology firm CerbAir.
The proliferation of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), both commercial and military-grade, has prompted European defense planners to reassess their vulnerability to low-cost, low-visibility threats. Recent drone flyovers in sensitive NATO airspace, including sightings of unidentified UAVs near critical infrastructure and restricted zones, have underscored the need for rapid, scalable countermeasures. The CerbAir system, already operational in Ukraine, has emerged as a favored stopgap solution.
In Ukraine, the system has been employed to disrupt incoming drone threats on the front lines, jamming radio frequencies and forcing enemy UAVs to crash or retreat. Now, the same equipment is being deployed by several NATO members to protect their own skies. The portable solution is prized not just for its mobility and ease of integration, but also for its ability to operate without kinetic force—making it particularly suitable for use in civilian or politically sensitive airspace.
Defense News reports that the system has already gained traction among Baltic and Scandinavian countries, where regional military officials have reported a rise in suspicious drone activity near military bases and critical infrastructure. Though details of specific deployments remain classified, officials speaking on background told the publication that CerbAir’s technology had been incorporated into daily operations along NATO’s eastern flank.
As adversarial states increase their investment in drone technology for surveillance and disruption, alliance members are under growing pressure to defend against the evolving threat landscape. CerbAir’s system, although not a silver bullet, forms part of a broader patchwork strategy combining early detection, electronic warfare, and kinetic interception. Analysts say such technologies are likely to become cornerstones of national defense postures in both peacetime and conflict scenarios.
The move toward widespread adoption of this non-lethal counter-UAV technology reflects a significant development in contemporary military doctrine, where agility, rapid deployment, and technological interoperability now play a central role in deterrence. As NATO continues to adapt to asymmetric threats along its borders, tools like CerbAir’s jamming system are expected to see expanded use—not only in active warzones like Ukraine, but also in the increasingly contested skies over Europe.
