"ŠIAULIAI AIR BASE, Lithuania - A Spanish fighter wing deployed to the Baltics for air patrol missions alongside anti-drone defenses for the first time, a reaction to growing uncrewed threats to European infrastructure. Spain's 15th Wing arrived at Šiauliai Air Base in December to begin a four-month rotation contributing to NATO's Baltic Air Policing mission, designed to protect the airspace around Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The Crow counter-drone system came with it."
"The move underscores how NATO militaries are rethinking the defense of their critical infrastructure as drones increasingly become a headache for countries across Europe, flying over sensitive sites and exposing vulnerabilities. Recent drone incursions into allied airspace have pushed NATO countries to acquire and field new counter-drone systems, especially on the alliance's Eastern edge, where countries share a border with Russia. Some of the defensive technology has already been tested on the battlefield in Ukraine."
Spain's 15th Wing deployed to Šiauliai Air Base in December for a four-month rotation supporting NATO Baltic Air Policing over Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia. The deployment included the Crow counter-drone system, marking the first time the unit has brought counter-drone technology on a Baltic rotation. NATO militaries are prioritizing protection of critical infrastructure as drones increasingly fly over sensitive sites and expose vulnerabilities across Europe. Recent incursions into allied airspace have accelerated acquisition and deployment of counter-drone systems, particularly along NATO's eastern flank bordering Russia. Some defensive systems have already seen testing in Ukraine.
Read at Business Insider
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