More NATO countries are buying a US-made interceptor that has downed thousands of Russian drones in Ukraine
NATO allies, especially those along the Eastern flank, are looking to harden their defenses against repeated drone incursions.
At least six NATO countries are now purchasing or planning to acquire the US-made Merops counter-drone system, a defense official revealed. This surge in interest comes as NATO seeks to bolster its borders against repeated Russian drone incursions. Merops, a radar-guided interceptor, has been deployed in Ukraine and has successfully downed numerous Russian drones, including armed attack aircraft.
The system, costing around $15,000 per interceptor, can be rapidly deployed from flexible locations such as a pickup truck bed. Poland and Romania have already purchased and deployed Merops following Russian drone violations in September 2025, while Lithuania has expressed interest in buying a test batch. The US Army, an early adopter, has used Merops in the Middle East, destroying at least one Iranian drone.
NATO's Eastern flank, which includes allied countries from the Baltic Sea to the Black Sea, has witnessed a surge in airspace violations, prompting an increased focus on cheaper counter-drone technology to deter Russia.
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