NATO plans to strengthen the defense of its eastern borders through a large-scale network based on drones, sensors, and artificial intelligence, with the aim of detecting and preventing a possible Russian attack.
Modern.az reports that “Politico” has published information on this matter.
According to Western officials, NATO is exploring the use of AI-powered drones as part of large-scale measures to strengthen its defense capabilities.
However, the goal is not to create fully autonomous systems. Artificial intelligence will assist in controlling drones and the flight process, while humans will make decisions regarding target identification and striking.
This approach is similar to the methods applied by Ukraine in wartime. Ukraine is increasingly using artificial intelligence in drone operations. Nevertheless, both military personnel and representatives of defense technology companies have repeatedly emphasized that even if the automation of warfare increases, the human factor must remain central to the combat process.
For NATO, AI-powered drones will be part of the “Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative” (EFDI).
Within this initiative, the alliance is creating a digital battlespace network to monitor threats along the borders of Russia and Belarus. The network is intended to cover an area extending from northern Finland to the Black Sea.
The new concept envisions the integration of thousands of unmanned aerial vehicles, sensors, and satellites into a unified system via artificial intelligence. These technologies should detect possible incursions into allied territories and act as the first line of defense in preventing attacks.
However, traditional armed forces such as tanks, fighter jets, and artillery will continue to form the backbone of NATO's defense.
U.S. Army Major Ben Schiff, a program operations officer, told “Bild” that both Ukraine and Russia still use humans to control drones.
According to him, some systems have artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities that allow for short-term autonomous operation during flight. However, drone control is primarily carried out by ground operators.
Schiff believes that the “most boring flight elements” such as drones flying for long periods on the battlefield searching for targets should be automated. However, the decision on which target the drone should strike must be made by a human.
“People decide what the drone will do, but they don't have to control it themselves. Because we don't have a million pilots. We can't control a million drones at once,” Schiff said.
Schiff is the product manager for the EFDI Data Backbone system, which is designed to enable NATO forces to detect, classify, share information, and make operational decisions based on it.
This structure under development should integrate the incompatible computer and command-and-control systems of various NATO countries into a single network. This will allow real-time transmission of data from frontline sensors directly to headquarters.
With this, NATO aims to transition from the currently used linear system called the “kill chain” to a “kill web.” In the existing system, information is transmitted from the front line to the decision-maker, and from there back to the battlefield. The new model envisions immediate delivery of data from sensors to weapon systems and operators.
U.S. Army Major Matt Blubaugh, representing Europe and Africa, stated that the value of a drone, sensor, or other means is not determined solely by its technical specifications.
“Its effectiveness depends on how well it integrates into the broader operational ecosystem,” he emphasized.
