Poland, Romania deploy “Merops” system to counter Russian drones

Due to frequent incidents of Russian drones entering NATO airspace, Poland and Romania are deploying a new defense system called “Merops”, manufactured in the United States, according to AP.

The system is compact, can be mounted on a medium-sized truck, and uses artificial intelligence to detect and neutralize drones — even when satellite or electronic communications are jammed, CE Report quotes ATA.

“Merops” will also be used by Denmark as part of NATO’s efforts to strengthen the alliance’s eastern flank. The goal is to establish a defensive line strong enough along the Russian border to deter any intrusion.

The need for such a system became more evident after around 20 Russian drones entered Polish airspace in September, prompting the deployment of fighter jets costing millions of dollars to intercept drones worth only tens of thousands.

Romania and several other European countries have also experienced disruptions at airports and military bases due to drone activity.

“Merops” is capable of “drone-on-drone” combat — either destroying enemy drones or providing targeting data to ground and air forces. It gives commanders time to assess threats and decide whether to engage.

Beyond protecting armed forces, the system can also defend critical infrastructure such as airports. The initial deployment of “Merops” is taking place in Poland, Romania, and Denmark and is expected to take 2–5 years to build a fully operational defense network.

In essence, “Merops” is a small, flexible, and quick-to-deploy system designed to protect NATO borders from drone attacks — making defense more effective and financially sustainable than relying solely on fighter jets.