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NATO will strengthen lower-cost counter-drone defenses to avoid deploying advanced fighter jets against inexpensive threats, Secretary General Mark Rutte said on Tuesday.
“We will strengthen cheaper counter-drone defenses so we are not using high-end jets against low-cost threats,” Rutte said at a joint news conference with Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius at NATO headquarters.
NATO adapts air defenses to evolving drone threat
Rutte said repeated drone incidents along NATO’s eastern flank demonstrated that the threat was evolving. According to the NATO secretary general, the alliance is reinforcing its integrated air and missile defenses through a “multilayered, 360-degree approach.”
He added that NATO was also adapting its posture against drones through initiatives such as “Drone Edge”.
Rutte referred to an incident two weeks ago in which Italian jets deployed by NATO from Lithuania’s Siauliai Air Base shot down a drone that had violated Lithuanian airspace. He described the incident as “collective defense in action.”
Lithuania expects German brigade by end of 2027
Air defense and preparedness on NATO’s eastern flank were among the main issues discussed by Rutte and Sinkevicius, the Lithuanian prime minister said.
Sinkevicius added that Lithuania remained on track to host a permanently deployed German brigade by the end of 2027.
NATO leaders reaffirm support for Ukraine
The two leaders also reaffirmed their support for Ukraine. Rutte said Russia’s hostile actions were aimed at weakening NATO’s resolve, but pledged that the alliance would “do even more for Ukraine, and not less.”
