NATO’s Vulnerable Airspace: Ukraine’s Warning Can’t Be Ignored

In recent weeks, Russian drones have repeatedly violated the airspace of NATO countries. These incidents triggered more than just radar alarms — they raised strategic concerns that the Alliance still struggles to address effectively.

The current response model — scrambling fighter jets after airspace violations — is proving too slow and too expensive. In one recent case, Romanian fighter jets spent more than 40 minutes trying to intercept a drone, according to Ukrainian Air Force spokesman Yurii Ihnat.

This isn’t just a tactical problem. It’s a clear signal that NATO’s airspace defence needs to adapt. Drones are not just a threat — they represent a shift in how modern warfare is fought.

Ukraine’s offer: Share what we’ve learned

Ukraine is offering more than moral support. It’s ready to share real, practical experience from years of drone warfare. Kyiv has proposed hands-on training for NATO allies in cities like Lviv or Kraków, where joint exercises could simulate drone threats.

Lessons from the front line

Ukraine’s message is simple: defending against drones requires more than just the right hardware — it takes speed, flexibility, and decentralised action. Rapid decision-making, close cooperation with civilian tech companies and defence startups, and the ability to adapt quickly on the ground have all helped Ukraine stay one step ahead.

By contrast, NATO’s response often relies on traditional assets like fighter jets, which are not built to chase small, cheap, and fast drones. The real issue isn’t jet speed — it’s the delay in detection, decision-making, and deployment. That’s where autonomous systems come in.

Smarter defence in action: Task Force X

NATO is already working on the solution. Task Force X — led by NATO Allied Command Transformation — shows that the Alliance understands the urgency for change.

This project brings together:

• Autonomous systems for threat detection in the air and at sea,
• AI tools to process and analyse real-time data,
• Uncrewed vehicles that cover areas previously reliant on manned missions.

The aim is clear: protect critical infrastructure like undersea cables, ports, and strategic routes faster, more effectively, and with lower costs — while reducing the burden on human forces.

What NATO must do now

This isn’t a long-term project. These are steps NATO can take today:

• Adopt Ukraine’s experience – not just in tech, but in mindset and speed of execution.
• Accelerate the rollout of autonomous defence systems, especially for low-cost aerial threats.
• Ensure interoperability between nations, defence industries, and systems to enable fast scaling across the Alliance.

The choice: Lead or lag

Ukraine has shown that drone warfare is changing the balance of power. But only those who adapt quickly will benefit. Waiting for the perfect solution might mean missing the next threat — one that arrives silently, flies low, and crosses NATO’s airspace before the jets even leave the runway.