A downed drone can still pose a threat. Its explosive payload may remain active, while chemical or radioactive substances can spill around the aircraft.
Participants at Santa Margarida military camp worked through increasingly complex scenarios. They assessed threats, examined how to make devices safe and tested procedures for handling hazardous materials.
The scenarios also covered the safe recovery and analysis of drone components. Specialists examined how to preserve evidence that could help identify those responsible for an incident.
Reviewing the response
The exercise assessed existing counter-drone procedures and sought to identify where changes are needed. Its findings will inform a review of operational techniques, procedures and military doctrine.
Experts in counter-drone operations, command and control, and chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear defence took part. They worked with specialists in explosive ordnance disposal, technical exploitation and military legal affairs.
National experts participated alongside the United Nations Mine Action Service and NATO’s Counter-Improvised Explosive Devices Centre of Excellence. Representatives from the NATO Joint CBRN Defence Capability Development Group and Joint CBRN Defence Centre of Excellence also attended.
Further testing in 2027 and 2028
Virtual wargaming in 2027 will introduce more complex scenarios. It will test decisions involving several teams.
Live experimentation planned for 2028 will assess the full response under field conditions. That work will cover countering a drone, specialist intervention and analysis of recovered material.
EDA said the exercise showed that defeating a drone is often only the beginning of the response. Forces must also investigate, make devices safe and turn technical findings into lessons for future operations.
European Vigilant Shield contributes to the Defence Readiness 2030 agenda. It translates operational challenges into priorities for capability development, experimentation and cooperation.
Source: European Defence Agency (EDA).
