NATO develops counter-drone system for Ukrainian conflict
NATO and allied countries deployed autonomous counter-drone systems in response to escalating autonomous drone operations in the Ukraine conflict. China demonstrated a fully autonomous submarine-hunting drone reportedly capable of independent targeting, while Russia deployed autonomous drones that violated Polish airspace.
What happened
China demonstrated the Wing Loong X drone at Dubai Airshow 2025, described as the first fully autonomous system capable of detecting, classifying and attacking submarines without human intervention using artificial intelligence.
NATO developed the Merops counter-drone system to defend against autonomous drone swarms used in the Ukraine conflict. Poland and Romania received their first Merops systems in November 2025 and began training with US military personnel.
Russia deployed over 20 drones from four locations that entered Polish airspace on 9-10 September 2025, with at least five targeting the NATO logistics base at Żeshów-Jasionka airfield.
Reported impact
The Wing Loong X drone reportedly gives China significantly increased control over the South China Sea and strategic waterways by enabling continuous surveillance and detection of submarines through autonomously deployed listening devices.
NATO countries report increasing drone attacks and unidentified aerial activity over European airspace requiring new defensive measures and military deployment to eastern borders.
Index analysis
The deployment of fully autonomous military drone systems capable of independent targeting decisions represents escalation in autonomous weapons use, as these systems can detect, classify and engage targets without direct human control.
The simultaneous development of multiple autonomous drone platforms by Russia, China and Iran, combined with NATO counter-systems, indicates rapid expansion of AI-enabled autonomous military operations in active conflicts.
Governance controls
NATO deployed Merops systems to allied nations and coordinated military training with US personnel to establish defensive protocols against autonomous drone threats in the Ukraine conflict region.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.