In recent months, Europe has faced a growing wave of Russian incursions — small but alarming drone flights entering NATO airspace and testing the alliance’s defenses. From Poland to Denmark, these incidents have caused serious concern and revealed the need for stronger protection across the continent.
Rising Russian Incursions Threaten Europe’s Skies
Poland and Romania, two NATO members located near the war zone in Ukraine, are now taking firm action. They have begun deploying a new American-made defense system called Merops to respond quickly to Russian incursions and other aerial threats. This marks an important step in boosting security on NATO’s eastern borders.
The Merops system hunts down enemy drones before they can cause harm. It fits easily in the back of a pickup truck yet uses artificial intelligence (AI) to detect and destroy drones, even when communications are jammed.
The need for such technology became urgent after around 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace in early September, forcing multimillion-dollar jets to scramble against cheap, disposable targets. These Russian incursions did not only disrupt airspace but also highlighted the gap between the cost of defense and the low price of offensive drones.
Romania faced similar incidents soon after, while airports in Copenhagen, Munich, Berlin, and Brussels had to shut down temporarily following drone sightings. Although not every drone was confirmed to be Russian, the frequency of Russian incursions has made NATO countries realize that the threat cannot be ignored.
Defense experts warn that if Europe faces a prolonged drone war, it could strain budgets and deplete missile supplies. The Merops system offers a cost-effective and flexible way to handle this — neutralizing drones efficiently without expensive missile launches or fighter jet sorties.
How Merops Counters Russian Incursions
The Merops system works on a simple but smart principle — it uses drones to fight drones. Instead of relying on costly missiles or heavy aircraft, Merops launches small, agile drones that can chase, disable, or destroy enemy drones. This method is especially effective against Russian incursions, which often involve low-flying, slow-moving targets that traditional radar struggles to detect.
Once Merops identifies a threat, it can either engage it directly or share its position with nearby forces for interception. Its AI-driven targeting system gives commanders valuable time to assess the situation and make fast, accurate decisions.
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Merops protects critical infrastructure such as airports, power plants, and communication hubs — all of which have faced Russian incursions in recent months. It can also defend moving military units, offering NATO a flexible tool to safeguard both troops and civilians.
A key advantage of Merops is its cost efficiency. Deploying a fighter jet or missile to down a small drone costs millions, while Merops delivers the same result at a fraction of the price. This makes it a practical choice for countering repeated Russian incursions without draining defense budgets.
The first Merops systems are now active along Poland’s and Romania’s borders, where Russian incursions have been most frequent. Denmark has also joined the initiative to boost its air defenses. Tested successfully in Ukraine’s battle zones, Merops has proven it can perform under pressure and effectively neutralize real-world Russian incursions.
Strengthening NATO’s Eastern Defenses
The rise of Russian incursions has forced NATO to rethink how it protects its skies. Traditional defenses built for high-speed missiles and large aircraft struggle to counter small, unpredictable drones. These Russian incursions are fast, flexible, and often carry cameras or explosives, making them difficult to detect and stop.
To strengthen security, NATO is building an Eastern Flank Deterrence Line — a chain of systems stretching from Norway to Turkey. The aim is to ensure that any future Russian incursions are detected and neutralized instantly. This defense line will connect radar systems, sensors, and anti-drone technologies like the Merops system into a single network, allowing rapid communication and real-time responses.
At the same time, the European Union is creating a “drone wall” — a joint effort to share intelligence, improve early warnings, and prevent drone threats across multiple borders. By working together, European nations hope to protect the entire region from such attacks.
Meanwhile, Russia continues to upgrade its drone fleet with better engines, cameras, and anti-jamming systems. This growing arms race in the sky has turned Europe’s eastern border into a highly fortified zone where incursions meet swift countermeasures.
For Poland and Romania, deploying Merops is more than a military move — it’s about protecting citizens and ensuring that Russian incursions no longer go unchecked. With these new defenses in place, NATO nations are preparing to keep Europe’s skies safer and more secure than ever.
