NATO militaries are increasingly looking to Ukraine for answers on how to counter hostile drones without burning through expensive missile stockpiles, as interceptor drones emerge as a cost-effective alternative for modern air defence.
Ukrainian forces have been using domestically produced interceptor drones on a daily basis to shoot down Russian one-way attack drones, often sharing footage of high-speed aerial interceptions. These systems have become critical as Russia intensifies its aerial campaigns, sometimes launching hundreds of drones and missiles in a single night, stretching Ukraine’s already strained air defence network.
The appeal of interceptor drones lies in their affordability and scalability. Some Ukrainian-made interceptors reportedly cost as little as US$2,500 per unit, compared with an estimated US$35,000 for a basic Russian attack drone and vastly more for surface-to-air missiles. Designed to strike targets mid-air or detonate nearby for a proximity kill, the drones allow Ukraine to preserve high-end missile systems for more complex threats such as cruise or ballistic missiles.
NATO officials say the Ukrainian experience offers a glimpse into the future of warfare. Allied countries are now developing similar systems or moving quickly to acquire them. British Army Brigadier General Chris Gent, NATO Allied Land Command’s deputy chief of staff for transformation and integration, has described the pace of technological change as a “race to keep up,” noting that affordable drone-based defences are filling a critical capability gap.
Interest in interceptor drones intensified after Russian drones violated Polish and Romanian airspace earlier this year, prompting NATO aircraft to scramble in response. The incidents raised concerns about the sustainability of deploying fighter jets and costly missiles against low-cost aerial threats. In response, Poland and Romania have begun deploying the US-made Merops interceptor system, which has already been credited with destroying more than 1,900 Russian targets in Ukraine. Each interceptor reportedly costs around US$15,000, still significantly cheaper than traditional missile-based solutions.
NATO forces from Poland, Romania and the United States have since trained on the system, with military leaders emphasising its combat record and suitability for defending the alliance’s eastern flank. US Army Brigadier General Curtis King, who leads the 10th Army Air and Missile Defense Command, has said NATO must learn directly from Ukraine’s battlefield experience, adding that several other allied nations are testing similar technologies.
Western governments are also deepening cooperation with Ukraine’s defence sector. The UK has announced plans to mass-produce thousands of Ukrainian-designed interceptor drones, while the United States is working with Ukrainian partners to manufacture similar systems. NATO officials believe that scaling up production through Western industry will further reduce costs and improve availability across the alliance.
Beyond affordability, interceptor drones reflect a broader shift in military innovation cycles. NATO officials say the war in Ukraine has compressed the life cycle of battlefield technology, with new systems and countermeasures emerging every few months. This has forced the alliance to rethink procurement processes and prioritise rapid testing and deployment.
Through initiatives such as NATO’s Innovation Challenges, defence firms from Europe and Ukraine are being invited to present ready-to-use solutions for threats like glide bombs and attack drones. Alliance officials argue that the goal is sustainability: ensuring NATO can counter mass, low-cost aerial threats without exhausting budgets or depleting high-end weapon systems.
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