NATO Calls for More Drones, AI and Air Defense

European countries must fundamentally change the way they prepare for future armed conflicts, leading military officials warned at a security conference in London.

According to Johnny Stringer, deputy commander of NATO forces in Europe, it is necessary to invest more in mass-produced and affordable technologies, such as drones and air defense systems, rather than relying exclusively on expensive weapon platforms with long production cycles.

Other key priorities include precision strikes over long distances, electronic warfare and strengthening defenses against missiles with ranges of thousands of kilometers. Stringer also warned of the growing threat from Russia, including its Northern Fleet.

German army commander Christian Freuding emphasized that the war in Ukraine demonstrates a fundamental transformation of ground warfare and that armies must procure equipment that is available immediately.

Military officials also pointed to the growing importance of artificial intelligence, which significantly speeds up both the planning and management of combat operations.

(Reuters, mja)