Latvian President Warns Europe Is Falling Behind on Drones

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics has warned in an interview with The Guardian that Europe is failing to keep pace with technological developments in aerial combat in Ukraine and that most NATO member states would have trouble repelling a Russian missile attack.

According to him, drone warfare is advancing "at lightning speed", so today's preparations could already be obsolete by the middle of next year. He sees serious shortcomings in the air defense, anti-drone and anti-missile defenses of Ukraine, Europe and NATO.

Kyiv and its allies are facing delays in deliveries of Patriot systems and other defensive missiles. The United States used up nearly two-thirds of its stockpile of key interceptor missiles during the war with Iran, and replenishing it could take at least five years. Washington has considered moving Patriot production to Ukraine and Europe, but no agreement has been reached so far.

Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk warned that Moscow may launch drone or missile attacks on countries supporting Kyiv in the coming months to test the validity of NATO's Article 5.

Rinkevics sees no signs that Russia is preparing a conventional invasion of the Baltic states. However, he expects increased mobilization, winter pressure on Ukraine and efforts to deter countries from providing further support.

(The Guardian, bak)