NATO 'drone wall' to monitor Russian border amid 'worst scenario' warning

30 May 2024 , 12:21

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Lithuanian troops stand with their DJI drones at the Quadriga military exercises involving German, French, Dutch and Lithuanian troops (Image: Getty Images)

European leaders have met to discuss creating a “wall of drones” along NATO's border with Russia and Belarus to protect from incoming threats.

Ministers met last week to discuss proposals for the wall which would reportedly include sophisticated drones and off-the-shelf models in an attempt to monitor attempts by Moscow to use migration as a “weapon”. Ministers from Finland, Norway, Poland and the three Baltic states, Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, agreed the drones will be used primarily for surveillance.

However, President Rinkevics of Latvia said he could not exclude the possibility that they could also deploy armed drones. The Baltic states have also agreed to cooperate on developing additional military infrastructure along their eastern borders in anticipation of a military incursion - this will work as part of a “multi-layered defence plan”.

READ MORE: Ukraine pilots deploy kamikaze drones as 30,000 Russian troops swarm eastern border

President Rinkevics of Latvia said he could not exclude the possibility that they could also deploy armed drones (Getty Images)

The unified approach amongst the nations is in response to accusations that Russia and Belarus have been using migration as a weapon by sending desperate people to the borders of Europe. The hope is that the new drone wall will help the nations monitor the influxes of migrants as well as any nefarious behaviour from Moscow or Minsk.

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In an interview with the Times, Latvian President Rinkevics said his country was increasing troop numbers and making preparations for the “worst scenario” including urging its citizens to turn their basements into bomb shelters.

“In order to avoid the worst scenario you should be prepared for it,” he said in a public message. He also had a warning to NATO members, saying: “If European allies of NATO do not spend more on defence then we are going to see, regardless of who is president of the United States … a serious problem in relations between Europe and the United States.”

Drones costing as little as £400 are able to destroy tanks and artillery worth millions (Getty Images)

The British government has called for NATO member countries to increase their defence spending from 2 per cent to 2.5 per cent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Donald Trump regularly criticised members in Europe for not spending enough to support the alliance when he was US president.

The war in Ukraine has shown the crucial role drones can play in modern warfare. With drones costing as little as £400 able to destroy tanks and artillery worth millions, both sides in the conflict have made extensive use of the unmanned vehicles.

Almost every fighting brigade in the Ukrainian army has an assault drone company, while most individual units have their own small reconnaissance drones. Recon drones identify targets, relaying real-time video to the operator before troops or assault drones armed with munitions to drop on enemy positions.

Joe Smith