In a strategic response to growing aerial threats from Russia, NATO forces are rapidly testing and deploying advanced anti-drone systems along the alliance's eastern flank. The recent demonstration in Poland highlights a crucial shift in European defense strategy following multiple Russian drone incursions into NATO airspace.
Frontline Testing in Poland
Polish soldiers conducted live-fire exercises with the American-made Merops counter-drone system at the Nowa Deba military training ground on November 18, 2025. Located merely 100 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, the training saw troops launching interception drones from pickup trucks to simulate engagements against Russian-style attack drones.
The timing is particularly significant following NATO's September scramble of F-35 fighter jets to shoot down Russian drones over Polish territory. This incident, accompanied by unexplained drone flights across other European nations, exposed critical vulnerabilities in continental defense nearly four years after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
Cost-Effective Defense Solution
The Merops system represents a breakthrough in affordable defense technology. While NATO previously used million-dollar missiles from advanced fighter jets to destroy Russian drones costing tens of thousands, the Merops solution offers a more sustainable approach.
U.S. General Curtis King revealed to journalists that the system has already demonstrated remarkable effectiveness in Ukraine, accounting for approximately 40% of destroyed Russian Shahed drones. Each interception drone fired by the Merops system costs around $15,000 - roughly one-tenth of what Russia spends to deploy its Shahed-type drone systems.
Rapid Deployment and Training
NATO has urgently recommended that Poland and Romania acquire multiple Merops systems to address immediate defense gaps. The technology, developed by a company backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, incorporates artificial intelligence to enhance targeting capabilities against enemy drones.
Military personnel from Poland, Romania, and the United States completed intensive 20-day training programs to master the system. "Once you get your hands on it, it's pretty simple to catch on," noted U.S. Sergeant Corey Myers, indicating the system's user-friendly design despite its sophisticated technology.
The Merops represents just one of numerous anti-drone systems currently being tested across NATO countries as the alliance accelerates efforts to strengthen its eastern defensive perimeter against evolving aerial threats from Russia.
