Europe Faces Critical Challenges In Countering Russian Drone Threats

By Rikard Jozwiak

( RFE/RL ) — Russia’s drone incursion into Polish territory on September 10 failed to result in much physical damage on the ground, but it did uncover a major hole in Europe’s defense forces: The allies don’t have cost-effective counter-measures to deal with low-cost Russian attacks.

As many as 19 drones flew into Polish — and thus NATO — airspace. Four appeared to have been shot down.

An explanation from some European officials, who spoke to RFE/RL on background, is that priority was given to those drones that seemed to be headed toward critical infrastructure.

Given the limited damage to property and no casualties on the ground, such a strategy seemed justified. But many are asking why there was a need to rely on expensive AWACS and fighter jets such as F-3