NATO launches procurement platform for counter-drone equipment
NATO announced on Thursday a new procurement platform that will let all 32 member states buy proven equipment for countering drones more quickly. The products can be purchased or leased long term.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), which brings together 32 countries, announced on Thursday, 5 November, that it had created a new procurement platform. It is meant to help member states acquire proven, reliable equipment for defending against unmanned aircraft, or drones, more quickly.
Claudio Palestini, NATO's head of innovation and technology adoption, said the alliance is offering a very simple system resembling an online e-commerce store.
How the equipment was chosen
Officials said that, following a public tender and an evaluation period lasting several months, NATO selected the equipment it considers the most effective and cost-efficient. The products, made by companies from the United Kingdom, France, Germany and the United States, are available to member states for purchase or long-term lease.
The equipment, priced at up to 28 million US dollars, is intended to protect borders and strategically important sites. It covers a range of technologies, including electronic jammers and interceptor drones.
Why it matters
NATO members, including the Baltic states, Romania and Poland, have repeatedly faced drones entering their airspace. Until now, the alliance has had to use jet fighters and fire expensive missiles to bring down far cheaper drones. Officials say this approach is not economically viable in the long term.
