NATO Launches Eastern Sentry to Bolster Air Defense Against Rising Drone Threat
NATO has launched the Eastern Sentry program to bolster its air defense network, addressing critical gaps. Meanwhile, the German state of Bavaria has introduced a draft law allowing police to search for and potentially shoot down unidentifiable drones over its territory, a first for any state.
The Eastern Sentry program comes in response to increasing drone activity over NATO territory. Some of these drones have been confirmed as Russian, while others remain unidentified. Thales Belgium, a leading European air defense manufacturer, is stepping up production of FZ275 LGR 70 mm anti-drone rockets, expecting to manufacture around 3,500 by the end of the year, and plans to accelerate production to 70,000 within the next few years due to high demand.
Thales has reported a surge in unidentified drone sightings over its restricted facilities in Belgium, with similar reports coming from Poland, Romania, Germany, Norway, and Denmark. The company has deployed drone detection systems but is legally restricted from using jammers to disrupt drone signals. Belgium and other European countries are working to define the process for responding to drone incidents, including clarifying where police responsibility ends and that of companies begins. Thales' Égévée Fort site in eastern Liège has been a hotspot for these sightings, while Copenhagen has temporarily banned all drone flights in response to the growing threat.
NATO's Eastern Sentry program and Bavaria's new drone regulations aim to strengthen air defense capabilities against the increasing drone activity. Thales, a key player in European air defense, is ramping up production of anti-drone rockets and working with other countries to establish clear protocols for responding to drone incidents.
