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NATO Exercises Test Interceptor Drones Against Shahed-Style Threats in Latvia, Video
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Latvia tested counter-drone systems, including interceptor drones, at the Sēlija training ground during the NATO Baltic Trust 26 exercise. Footage showing the interception of a target drone was released by the Latvian Ministry of Defense on August 14.
Approximately 650 participants from Latvia, NATO member states, and partner nations—including Ukraine, Australia, and Japan—took part in the maneuvers.
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Representatives of the technology industry from several European Union countries also joined the military drills.
Military personnel tested these commercial developments and projects under realistic field conditions.“Drone technologies and counter-drone capabilities are developing very rapidly. No less important than the technology itself is the ability of different systems to work effectively together,” the ministry stated.
During the exercise, specialists tested radar units, sensors, camera systems, electronic warfare equipment, and other solutions designed to detect, track, and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles. The maneuvers also featured a unique operational concept for NATO.
This approach involves the private defense industry not just as an equipment manufacturer, but as a direct provider of services and practical combat capabilities. Under this concept, once a target is identified, military command can transfer the engagement mission directly to industry contractors.
Participating companies then deploy their own equipment, unmanned systems, software, engineers, and pilots to execute the strike. In late July, Ukraine and Latvia signed several memorandums of understanding aimed at broadening cooperation in unmanned aerial systems, according to Militarnyi.
The partnership focuses on attracting investments for drone manufacturing, transferring Ukrainian technological expertise, and building modern dual-use test facilities in Latvia.
The memorandums formalized cooperation between Latvia’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Economics, Investment and Development Agency, Baltic Forces Ltd., Ukrainian industry partners, Riga Technical University, and the Latvian Federation of Defense and Security Industries.
Additionally, in late June, Latvia announced plans to set up joint drone production facilities with Ukraine in the border region of Latgale.
Previously, NATO planned to strengthen its eastern flank with a network of thousands of drones, sensors, and satellites linked through artificial intelligence.
Developed under the Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative (EFDI), the system was intended to monitor threats along NATO’s borders with Russia and Belarus, stretching from northern Finland to the Black Sea.
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