Kyiv: The war in Ukraine is raising new questions about how quickly NATO can adapt to the changing nature of modern warfare, as cheap drones, electronic warfare and missile attacks expose gaps in military systems, training and procurement.
Five Ukrainian and Western defence officials told Reuters that some NATO weapons and tactics risk becoming outdated as battlefield technology develops faster than the alliance can change its military systems.
Ukraine has become an important source of battlefield experience for NATO countries. Ukrainian forces have rapidly adapted drones and electronic warfare systems during the war, with Ukrainian officials saying battlefield technologies and tactics can change within weeks.
NATO countries can take much longer to develop, test and purchase major weapons systems. This difference has become increasingly important as drones and other relatively cheap technologies have changed the way military forces operate.
Drones have become a central part of the war in Ukraine. They are being used for surveillance, attacks and targeting, while electronic warfare is being used to disrupt or counter them.
The threat is also increasingly affecting countries on NATO's eastern flank. Romania has reported a sharp increase in drone incursions near its border with Ukraine. Romanian Defence Ministry figures show 27 drone incursions so far in 2026, compared with nine during all of 2025.
The increase has raised concern in communities near Romania's border with Ukraine. However, Romanian Defence Minister Radu Miruta said there was no information indicating an imminent Russian ground invasion of Romania.
NATO has also increased its efforts to respond to the growing drone threat. Under its Drone Edge initiative, allies plan to invest more than $40 billion in counter drone capabilities over five years and increase the number of military drone operators fivefold by the end of 2027.
Air and missile defence remains another major challenge. Russia's repeated missile and drone attacks on Ukraine have demonstrated the importance of systems capable of protecting troops, infrastructure and population centres.
Ukraine has faced shortages of Patriot missile interceptors, while European countries are working to strengthen their own air defence capabilities.
France and Italy are developing the SAMP/T NG air defence system, while Ukraine and nine European allies launched the Freyja project in July to develop a new European anti ballistic missile system.
The effort reflects a broader European push to strengthen domestic defence production and develop additional capabilities alongside existing US supplied systems.
NATO is also strengthening its eastern flank. The alliance has nine multinational battlegroups and has increased its military presence and readiness measures in eastern Europe.
At the same time, NATO members are increasing defence spending. At the 2026 summit in Ankara, allies pledged to provide 70 billion euros in military equipment, assistance and training to Ukraine during 2026 and said they would maintain at least an equivalent level in 2027.
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte said during a visit to Britain on September 16 that the alliance was becoming more European, with European countries and Canada spending more, producing more and taking greater responsibility for their security.
The United States is also reviewing its military presence in Europe. The Pentagon launched a six month review of its European force posture in June. Reports indicate that a reduction of about 25,000 American troops is one possible outcome, but no final decision has been announced.
The Ukraine war has therefore exposed both weaknesses and changes within NATO. The alliance has increased spending, strengthened its eastern defences and begun developing new technologies, but the speed of change on the battlefield remains a major challenge.
For NATO, the question is no longer only how many soldiers, aircraft or tanks it can deploy. The experience of Ukraine is also forcing the alliance to consider how quickly it can detect new threats, develop appropriate technology and adapt its tactics to a changing battlefield.