Defense industry experts have no illusions. Johannes Pinl, president of the British company Marss, in an interview with CNN stated that many key areas of the Polish border could already be protected by a proven “drone wall”. The decision to use this technology, however, blocks the ossified order procedure at NATO, which Pinl described as “anchored in the 1980s”
President Marss gave specific examples that illustrate the problem. One of them is a drone developed by his company, now available on the market, but not in use in Europe. Reason? This equipment, although proven outside the continent, is still waiting for full technical specification required by the traditional NATO tender procedure. “It is used, but not in Europe, because there is no specification, “Pinl said, adding that the results of the analysis of this device by one of the NATO countries are expected only in a few months.
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Two speed orders?
Siete Hamminga, head of the company Robin Radar Systems from the Netherlands, clearly indicates the growing differences in the way of obtaining ammunition in Europe. The war in Ukraine strengthened the division into the so -called “Two speed” order system. As Hamming noted, the purchase of weapons for Ukraine takes place in accelerated mode. Just report the need and make a direct purchase. However, when it comes to funds for its own armed forces, NATO still sticks to a long and tedious procedure, which – as the expert emphasizes – “does not make things easier.”
This is also noted by the new chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Great Britain, Richard Knighton, who publicly spoke about the need to accelerate arms purchases during the conflict. Knighton mentioned cooperation with the industry as a key step that will allow new technologies to be introduced at a pace that corresponds to war conditions – reports CNN.
A similar race for drones and technologies for counteracting their use is already on the other side of the Atlantic. American defense secretary Pete HegeSth announced a change in the Pentagon approach in July. HegeSeth pointed out that the US forces are not yet properly equipped with drones adapted to the current requirements of the battlefield. At the same time, he announced a limitation of the influence of officials on the process of acquiring these technologies and the transfer of competences to the army, which operates with them on a daily basis.
The production of drones in Russia is massive
However, even the most innovative solutions in Europe still face a serious challenge – the amount of equipment. Russia, producing as many as 5.5 thousand per month at the Factory in Tatarstan. drones, including modernized shahads, seems to be unrivaled in terms of mass mass. In September, Moscow for the first time launched as many as 800 unmanned aerial vehicles towards Ukraine – indicates CNN, citing the given Ukrainian intelligence.
In the face of these facts, NATO will face a difficult choice: how to reconcile the need for innovation with the pace of action, which is forced by modern war? A outdated order system in the era of a drone revolution may be one of the greatest obstacles to the future of the alliance.
