Ukraine shared its unique combat experience in fighting drones at NATO’s counter-drone exercise.

The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported on this.

The Innovation Center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine demonstrated the combat experience of using the DELTA system to combat drones during NATO exercises.

The counter-drone exercise was held from September 10 to 20 in Vredepeel, the Netherlands, and brought together more than 450 participants from 22 countries. The exercise tested more than 60 different anti-drone systems and technologies.

“At counter-drone exercises, we not only test technologies, but also demonstrate DELTA situational awareness system’s combat experience gained at the cost of great effort. Participation in such events allows us to improve tactics and training, as well as share knowledge with our partners. The successful use of DELTA in these exercises once again proves that Ukraine has significant potential in the development of military technologies,” commented Deputy Minister of Defense for Digital Transformation Kateryna Chernohorenko.

The Ukrainian-made DELTA situational awareness and battlefield management system is a platform for planning exercises and displaying the current location of “enemy” and “friendly” drones. Friendly drones were identified using the UA DRONE ID protocol. This is a joint project of the Ministry of Defense, Cossack Labs, Aerorazvydka NGO, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation. It provides secure data exchange between drones and combat systems, including DELTA.

During the exercises, the VECTOR reconnaissance drone manufactured by the German company Quantum-Systems made six flights daily, successfully integrating via UA DRONE ID.

In addition, the DELTA situational awareness system was integrated with partner systems at the entrance to the exercise, which made it possible to receive information about the air and ground situation and detect targets in the air. The Ukrainian side also broadcasted the movement of drones in real time, providing all participants with situational awareness.

The Mission Control module for planning UAV pilots’ missions while practicing anti-drone warfare scenarios was also demonstrated.

NATO’s counter-drone exercise

In September 2024, Ukraine participated in NATO’s counter-drone exercise for the first time, joining representatives of the private sector and the scientific community.

During NATO’s annual Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) Technical Interoperability Exercise (TIE), more than 60 counter-drone systems and technologies such as sensors, drone-on-drone systems, jammers and cyber interceptors were tested live.

Ukraine’s first active participation in the exercise is part of the NATO-Ukraine Innovation Cooperation Roadmap endorsed by Allied and Ukrainian Leaders at the Washington Summit.