Poland and Romania are deploying a new AI-driven defense technology known as Merops to combat Russian drone incursions, forming the foundation of NATO’s ambitious “drone wall” project—a 1,850-mile barrier of surveillance and counter-drone systems aimed at deterring Moscow’s growing airspace violations.

Developed in the United States, the Merops system is compact enough to fit into the back of a midsize truck and can operate independently of satellite or radio communications.

NATO’s Eastern Flank Reinforced with Drone Wall

 Using AI-guided navigation, it detects, tracks, and intercepts drones even under heavy electronic jamming—an increasingly common tactic in modern warfare.

Denmark is also joining Poland and Romania in adopting the system, part of a broader NATO strategy to fortify its eastern frontier. “The goal is to make the border with Russia so heavily armed that Moscow would be deterred from ever crossing it, from Norway in the north to Turkey in the south,” one NATO official said.

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1,850-Mile “Drone Wall”

The urgency of this deployment follows multiple drone incursions into NATO airspace. In early September, Poland scrambled multimillion-dollar fighter jets to intercept about 20 Russian drones—each worth only a fraction of the aircraft used to stop them. Romania faced similar incidents, while airports in Copenhagen, Munich, Berlin, and Brussels were temporarily closed following drone sightings.

“The Merops system gives us very accurate detection,” said Col. Mark McLellan, assistant chief of staff for operations at NATO Allied Land Command. “It’s able to target the drones and take them down at a low cost. It’s a lot cheaper than flying an F-35 to take them down with a missile.”

The Drone Wall project envisions a network stretching from Norway to Poland, providing a continuous “early-warning barrier” and integrating advanced AI, sensors, and command systems.

AI-driven Drones Against Drones

According to McLellan, Merops functions as “drones against drones,” capable of directly intercepting threats or passing targeting data to other NATO forces. Brig. Gen. Thomas Lowin, NATO’s deputy chief of staff for operations, said the system gives commanders critical decision time: “It allows us to assess the threat and decide, to shoot or not shoot.”

Lowin noted that the system can defend both airports and frontline military positions, underscoring its versatility. The project has even attracted private investment, including funding from former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, though both he and the company behind Merops have declined interviews.

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A New Era of AI-driven drone Warfare

NATO officials view Merops as the first stage in a multi-layered European air defense that could take up to five years to complete. “Russia has conscription and numbers,” said Gen. Chris Donahue, commander of U.S. Army Europe and Africa. “We have to counter that with technology.”

The system’s effectiveness was proven in Ukraine, where drone warfare has evolved rapidly. “If it doesn’t work there, it’s probably not worth acquiring,” Lowin remarked. As Russia accelerates production of advanced drones with jet engines and anti-jamming systems, NATO’s response must evolve just as quickly.

“We see what Russia is doing in Ukraine,” said Brig. Gen. Zacarias Hernandez, NATO’s deputy chief of staff for plans. “We have to be ready for that.”

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