NATO can no longer 'sit back' when defending skies

The rise of cheap drones and mass air attacks is straining the West's traditional approach to air defence, a senior NATO commander warned. Stringer said new threats can no longer be met simply by relying on advanced jets and multimillion-dollar interceptors, adding that "those days are over." Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East show future conflicts may not look like those Western forces have grown used to fighting.

He argued NATO still needs high-end aircraft and missiles, but also large numbers of cheaper systems and sensors. Stringer warned it would be unsustainable to use Patriot PAC-3 interceptors—estimated at roughly $3.7 million each—against Shahed-style drones that cost about $20,000 to $50,000 apiece.

Ukraine has already fielded lower-cost interceptor drones and sensors, and partners are following that lead.

Ukraine, Middle East

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