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.
For insight into how AI and optical systems are reshaping modern conflict, see The Machines Saw Everything from The Atlantic.
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.
