Since invading in February 2022, Moscow has carried out near daily drone and missile attacks on Ukraine, including targeting areas close to Ukraine’s western borders with EU and NATO members.

Romania and Latvia said earlier this month that Russian drones and missiles flew through their airspace during an overnight attack on Ukraine.

Ministers from nine countries on NATO’s eastern flank expressed their “profound concern over the repeated incursions” into allied airspace by “Russian drones and missiles”, and urged “a collective answer within NATO.”

They also called on the alliance to help “boost our capabilities of detecting, identifying and, if necessary, engaging low and slow flying objects.”

“A robust and coordinated response on an allied level is needed, as well as the swift implementation of NATO’s Integrated Air and Missile Defence rotational model,” Romanian Defense Minister Angel Tilvar told reporters after a meeting of the defence ministers in Bucharest.

The group — the so-called “Bucharest Nine” — consists of Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia.

Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga earlier on Wednesday asked Kyiv’s neighbors to explore the possibility of shooting down Russian missiles and drones.

Kicking off a regional tour in Romania, he described Russia’s aerial attacks as a “global threat.”

Romania scrambled two F-16 fighter jets to monitor a Russian drone that flew across its airspace towards Ukraine earlier this month, an incident that has reignited a discussion over whether the country should intercept stray Russian drones.

The current legal framework prevents such engagements during peacetime. Though officials have stressed any drones that intentionally target Romanian territory will be shot down.

Several drone fragments have also been found in Romania throughout the war.

NATO has said it had no indication any of the incidents were an “intentional attack” by Russia against alliance states.

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The contract, which must still be approved by the US Congress, covers Bucharest’s purchase of 32 F-35A aircraft and related equipment, produced by the US aerospace and defense giant Lockheed Martin.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political and economic stability in Europe,” a State Department statement said.

The contract announcement comes as Ukrainian pilots began training this week at a special center in Romania on F-16s, US-made fighter jets that Washington has approved Kyiv to use to repel Russia’s invasion.

Romania occupies a strategic position at the gateway to Ukraine and the Black Sea, and aims to become an international hub for F-16 training.

It inaugurated an F-16 training center at its Fetesti air base in November 2023, pledging to also train Ukrainians there.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken met his Romanian counterpart Luminita Odobescu on Thursday, thanking Bucharest for delivering a Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine.

The State Department also announced the approval on Friday of a $4.1 billion sale to Japan of a KC-46A aerial refueling tanker.

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Oslo has an existing order for eight radars signed in 2022, bringing the total number to 11.

According to company VP for Radar & Sensor Systems Chandra Marshall, the next-generation TPY-4s are crucial components of Norway’s ground-based air defense capability.

They are also well-suited for supporting multi-domain deterrence in the Nordic region.

“The additional order and the completion of the Critical Design Review mark major steps forward, confirming that our radar meets the stringent requirements of [Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency] (NDMA) and ensuring the security and sovereignty of Norway,” she said.

Lockheed and the NDMA have not disclosed specific delivery timelines for the new order.

‘Eyes in the North’

The TPY-4 radar is designed to provide military customers with critical capability to detect and track current and emerging threats.

It can reportedly operate in congested electromagnetic environments, ensuring effective functions despite the presence of jammers and other electromagnetic interference.

It also boasts an open system architecture to enable seamless integration of future capabilities.

The TPY-4 is available in both fixed and mobile variants and is transportable via a C-130 transport plane or helicopter.

Once delivered, the radar will enhance the Norwegian Air Force’s capability to track and classify aerial threats, providing critical situational awareness.

It is also expected to act as NATO’s “eyes in the north” amid increasing regional tensions.

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Roger Hausen, now a national security expert in Brussels, told local media that the lack of ground-based air defense systems has left the country vulnerable to modern threats.

The issue could have serious implications for NATO, as Belgium hosts key infrastructure for the military alliance.

In the event of a large-scale conflict with Russia, the European nation may serve as a key logistics hub for transferring supplies from the US through the Antwerp seaport in northern Belgium.

This makes the second-largest seaport in Europe susceptible to Russian air strikes.

An ‘Urgent’ Need

The lack of air defense systems appears to be a long-standing problem in Belgium, with politicians and the public reportedly divided on the importance of addressing it.

Bart De Wever, the country’s potential next prime minister, said acquiring enough air defense weapons is an “urgent need” for Brussels.

Should Belgium decide to invest more in air defense, many experts suggest adopting a multi-layered system similar to Israel’s renowned “Iron Dome.”

They argued that while such systems are costly, they are more effective against threats like small drones compared to other air defense systems, such as the Patriot.

Potential Conflict With Russia

Earlier this year, a leaked German military document outlined a worst-case scenario of the ongoing Ukraine war, in which Moscow is pictured to win then wage another large-scale war with a NATO member.

A subsequent intelligence report claimed that Russia may launch an invasion as early as 2026, in time for the reorganization of its army.

The claim was supported by recent reports indicating that the Russian Navy has been training to launch nuclear-capable weapons deep into Europe.

While no specific country was mentioned, Belgium could be a likely target, given its substantial military aid to Ukraine.

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Warplanes from other NATO members have patrolled their skies over the Baltic states since they joined the military alliance in 2004 as the three former Soviet republics do not have the necessary aircraft.

NATO aircraft “must not only patrol but also, if necessary, if possible destroy the drones,” Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas told reporters in Lithuanian capital Vilnius.

He added the decision-making process should be shortened to make this possible.

His comments follow a Russian drone crashing in Latvia on Saturday. Latvia’s armed forces said it was an Iranian-design Shahed drone equipped with explosives.

On Tuesday, Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said his country was discussing the problem of Russian drones with its allies.

“We are raising the issue with our NATO partners about protocols for interception of drones, calling for the allied air fighters to be used immediately after such a drone has been seen approaching our borders,” Rinkevics said.

Baltic officials also urged NATO to step up plans to deploy ground-based air defenses along the bloc’s eastern border.

NATO countries lack sufficient ground-based air defense systems, but agreed last year to short-term deployments to dissuade Russia.

In April, the Netherlands deployed Patriot missile systems for exercises in Lithuania, but the Baltic countries want air defense systems deployed on a permanent basis in the region.

At the beginning of September, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Warsaw should have the right to down Russian missiles threatening its territory in Ukrainian airspace.

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Under the deal, unguided or “dumb” air-to-ground bombs will be converted to precision-guided munitions using RTX’s Paveway kits.

A Paveway laser-guided bomb combines the accuracy and flexibility of traditional laser-guided weapons with the all-weather capability of the global positioning system.

Newer versions of the Paveway bomb are also equipped with inertial navigation system capabilities.

The enhanced accuracy provided by the kit results in reduced sorties and weapon inventory and an enhanced mission success rate.

Ammunition Support Partnership

Funds were secured through the Ammunition Support Partnership, a funding mechanism established in 1993 comprising 28 member nations.

The mechanism facilitates collective procurement and management of ammunition, enhancing individual national capabilities and the overall operational effectiveness of NATO forces. 

“This contract is therefore a significant contribution to the NATO Industrial Capacity Expansion Pledge … aiming to accelerate defense industrial capacity and production across the Alliance, and underscoring the strategic importance of transatlantic defense cooperation,” according to the NATO Support and Procurement Agency.

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The plane was escorted by two Gripen fighter jets and received a traditional water cannon salute as it landed in the central city of Kecskemét late last week.

Brazilian military personnel disembarked from the aircraft while holding the flags of Brazil and Hungary, signaling the completed delivery of Budapest’s inaugural KC-390.

According to the Hungarian defense ministry, the arrival of the popular transport aircraft will “open a new dimension” for the Hungarian military operationally.

It will ensure the country has “powerful, stable, and reliable military equipment” amid increased regional threats, said Defense Minister Kristóf Szalay-Bobrovniczky.

“We have long been waiting for this moment… We are building our 21st-century, new joint armed forces with high operational value here in Hungary,” he noted.

‘Imposing’ Features

The KC-390 Millenium aircraft is capable of carrying up to 80 fully-equipped soldiers or two Gidrán 4×4 armored tactical vehicles.

It features advanced self-protection systems, including an infrared countermeasure that uses laser beams to confuse the seekers of incoming enemy missiles.

It also has sophisticated avionics that enable secure, encrypted navigation and communication.

Apart from cargo and personnel transport, the Millenium can be reconfigured for air-to-air refueling, medical evacuation, and precision airdrop missions.

Hungary has one more KC-390 under order, scheduled for delivery later this year.

Once delivered, the aircraft will provide Budapest with increased interoperability with fellow European nations Austria and the Netherlands, which also operate the Brazilian plane.

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The Baltic state, once ruled by the Soviet Union but now an EU and NATO member, has had tense relations with Moscow following independence, and ties have further deteriorated since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022.

A “Russian military drone… crashed in the eastern part of Latvia yesterday. There is an ongoing investigation,” Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics said on X, formerly Twitter.

“We are in close contact with our allies. The number of such incidents is increasing along the eastern flank of NATO and we must address them collectively,” he added.

Latvia’s defense ministry said in a statement that the drone had flown into the country’s airspace from Belarus and crashed in the municipality of Rezekne.

“This situation is a confirmation that we need to continue the work we have started to strengthen Latvia’s eastern border, including the development of air defence capabilities and electronic warfare capabilities to limit the activities of UAVs of different applications,” said Defense Minister Andris Spruds.

Fellow NATO member Romania also on Sunday said a Russian attack drone targeting civilian infrastructure in neighboring Ukraine overnight had entered its airspace.

Bucharest strongly condemned the “renewed violation” brought on by Moscow’s “illegal attacks.”

Since launching its invasion, Russia has repeatedly carried out night attacks on cities across Ukraine, frequently targeting ports in the southern Odesa region after exiting a grain export deal.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga on Sunday condemned the breaches of Romanian and Latvian airspace, calling them “a stark reminder that Russia’s aggressive actions extend beyond Ukraine.”

He added on X that Ukraine needed concrete action from allies.

“A brave collective decision to use partner air defence to intercept Russian missiles and drones over Ukraine. Stronger and faster military aid for Ukrainian warriors. Lifting restrictions on Ukraine’s use of weapons. Act now,” he said.

Poland has also recorded at least two cases of its airspace being violated by Russian missiles or drones attacking Ukraine, most recently in December.

Warsaw late last month declared that a flying object had intruded into its airspace but later backtracked on the claim.

In an interview with the Financial Times published last week, Polish Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski said Warsaw should have the right to shoot down Russian missiles targeting Ukraine before they enter Polish airspace, despite NATO opposition.

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The country will reportedly acquire nearly 50 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks from Germany to satisfy NATO’s demand for robust ground combat firepower.

It is expected to spend up to 315 million euros ($350 million) annually to sustain the new battalion and cover the operational expenses of about 350 military personnel.

Amsterdam had nearly 1,000 fully operational tanks at the height of the Cold War. However, budget cuts forced the military to phase them out gradually by 2011.

Without a single tank left to support its ground operations, the country leased 18 Leopard 2 tanks from Berlin in 2015, but these were integrated into a German unit and stationed abroad.

Addressing Long-Standing Issue

The decision to get rid of all its tanks has been a persistent issue for the Royal Dutch Army.

The move was controversial, but then-Prime Minister Mark Rutte said the country had to make “difficult choices” following the 2008 recession.

But as threats in the region rapidly increased due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Dutch government saw the necessity for adequate ground firepower.

“Without the tank, maneuvers such as a breach or a turning movement are no longer possible,” a tank company commander said in 2020.

More members of the House of Representatives now support the establishment of a new tank battalion, with an initial plan previously getting discontinued due to budget constraints.

Clear Consensus

Local media outlets reported that there is a broad consensus in the Dutch government regarding the type of tank to be procured.

The Dutch Army has over four decades of experience with the Leopard 2 tank and collaborates closely with its German counterpart in operating them.

Additionally, Amsterdam was invited to a Berlin-led procurement initiative that aimed to consolidate demand and reduce the costs of the Leopard 2A8.

The post Dutch Army to Have Own Tank Battalion for First Time in 13 Years: Report appeared first on The Defense Post.

The Polish top diplomat’s remarks come a week after the NATO country’s airspace was breached by what the army said was likely a drone after Russia pummelled neighboring Ukraine with deadly strikes.

Despite a week-long ground search, the suspected drone has not been found.

During a new wave of Russian aerial attacks on Monday, Poland scrambled its fighter jets to the Ukrainian border to protect its airspace.

“Membership in NATO does not trump each country’s responsibility for the protection of its own airspace — it’s our own constitutional duty,” Foreign Minister Radoslaw Sikorski told FT in an interview.

“I’m personally of the view that, when hostile missiles are on course of entering our airspace, it would be legitimate self-defence (to strike them) because once they do cross into our airspace, the risk of debris injuring someone is significant,” he added.

Following Sikorski’s comments, a NATO official said that the alliance “has a responsibility to prevent Russia’s war from escalating further,” adding that “NATO is not a party to the conflict and NATO will not become a party to the conflict.”

“We recognise the right of every ally protect its own airspace, however what individual allies do in support of Ukraine can also matter for NATO as a whole,” said the official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week urged European nations to help down drones and missiles over Ukraine.

In March, Poland reported a breach of its airspace by a Russian cruise missile, demanding an explanation from Moscow.

A similar incident occurred in December 2023 when a Russian missile penetrated Polish airspace for several minutes before returning to Ukraine.

In November 2022, two people were killed when a Ukrainian air defense missile fell on the Polish village of Przewodow, close to the Ukrainian border.

Before the missile was identified as Ukrainian, fears were raised that NATO would be dragged into an escalation of the conflict with Russia if its collective defense provisions were triggered.

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