NATO Drone Combat Exercises Conclude in the Netherlands, with Ukraine Participating for the First Time

For the first time, Ukraine has joined NATO's joint drone warfare exercise in the Netherlands, along with representatives of the private sector and academia. 

This was reported by the Alliance's press service.

More than 60 anti-drone systems and technologies were tested during NATO's annual unmanned aerial vehicle interoperability exercise.

The exercise took place from 10 to 20 September in the Netherlands. It was attended by 450 representatives from 19 NATO member states and three partner countries, including Ukraine.

This first active participation of Ukraine in the exercise is part of the NATO-Ukraine Roadmap for Innovative Cooperation, which was endorsed by the leaders of the Alliance and Ukraine at the Washington Summit on 9-11 July 2024, when NATO leaders agreed to support the development and implementation of Ukraine's integrated air and missile defence architecture.

According to NATO's press service, such exercises enable the allies to jointly address pressing issues such as drone autonomy and interoperability. The Ukrainians demonstrated their experience in countering small drones.