Baltic states call for greater NATO protection against drones
Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have called on NATO to step up the defence of their airspace more quickly following the intrusion of several drones last week.
The Eastern Flank mission set up by NATO last year following similar incidents “has clearly demonstrated its value”, the defence ministers of the Baltic states said in a joint statement on Friday. However, “NATO’s efforts to strengthen air defence, including countering drones, must be accelerated”.
They say NATO allies must urgently step up their efforts to detect and intercept such devices. The aircraft and air defence systems currently deployed must be maintained and even reinforced.
The three countries, which feel threatened by neighbouring Russia, spend relatively higher amounts on defence than other NATO countries but do not have any major aircraft or air defence systems.
Meanwhile, Ukraine and Saudi Arabia have signed a cooperation agreement that will enable Kyiv to share its experience in countering attacks using Iranian-designed Shahed drones, AFP reports.
President Volodymyr Zelensky, who arrived in Jeddah on Thursday for a surprise visit, announced on social media the signing of an “important arrangement” on defence cooperation between the two countries.
“We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives,” he said. Riyadh “also has capabilities that are of interest to Ukraine”, he said, without giving details.
A source told AFP: “The point of the agreement is that Ukraine will support them in developing all the necessary components of air defence, which they currently lack.”
"We are ready to share our expertise and systems with Saudi Arabia and to work together to strengthen the protection of lives"
Under attack almost daily by hundreds of drones, Ukraine has developed a range of inexpensive defence systems, including interceptors. This expertise is in high demand among Gulf countries, which have been targeted by the same model of drones launched by Iran in retaliation for Israeli-American strikes since late February.
The deal “is not only about interceptors as such, but about building a system, integrating it with other air defence components, Ukrainian experience in its use, AI, and all the other elements of data analysis needed to counter Shaheds and other drones,” an official said.
A Lithuanian SkyWiper anti-drone weapon during the NATO military exercise Baltic Trust 25, August 2025 © PHONT GINTS IVUSKANS / AFP
Related news
