Poland and Romania have initiated the deployment of an innovative defense system aimed at protecting against drones, following recent incursions into NATO airspace that highlighted vulnerabilities within the alliance and raised concerns across Europe. 
According to reports from AP, this involves the American Merops system, compact enough to fit in a pickup truck. It can detect, track, and destroy drones using artificial intelligence for navigation, even when satellite and electronic communications are jammed.
Alongside Poland and Romania, Denmark will also receive the Merops system, as stated by NATO military representatives. The primary objective is to fortify the eastern border from Norway to Turkey, ensuring Russia does not even consider crossing it.
The need for such technology became apparent after around 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace in September, forcing NATO to scramble multi-million dollar fighter jets to intercept drones that cost tens of thousands. Similar incidents occurred in Romania and led to temporary airport closures in Copenhagen, Munich, Berlin, and Brussels.
NATO officials have noted that the Merops system enables cost-effective and efficient detection of drones flying low and slow, which renders them nearly invisible to conventional radar. 
"This system provides highly accurate detection and can eliminate targets at a much lower cost than, for instance, launching a missile from an F-35," explained Colonel Mark McLellan from NATO's land command.
Merops can autonomously attack hostile drones or relay data for their destruction to ground or air forces. It will be employed to protect critical infrastructure, such as airports and energy facilities, as well as to cover troops in combat zones.
Investment in the system has been made by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, though both he and the company refrain from public comments.
The deployment of Merops marks only the initial phase of creating a multi-layered defense line on NATO's eastern flank, which may take between two to five years. General Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, emphasized that NATO aims to build a network of sensors and command systems capable of rapidly adapting to new technologies.
The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, which has lasted nearly four years, has turned the region into a "testing ground" for drone technologies that are now being implemented in Europe. Merops was chosen due to its successful performance in Ukraine.
According to Brigadier General Thomas Lovin, drones are evolving quickly, and each new type requires a new response. 
"We see what Russia is doing in Ukraine and need to be prepared for it," he concluded.