A Wall Street Journal article highlights that NATO forces were unprepared for drone warfare during last year's Hedgehog 2025 exercise in Estonia, as demonstrated by a Ukrainian unit's successful mock attack on NATO troops.
The article discusses a commentary by Jillian Kay Melchior in the Wall Street Journal regarding NATO's preparedness for drone warfare, showcased during the Hedgehog 2025 exercise in Estonia last summer. The exercise involved over 16,000 soldiers from 12 NATO countries, including Ukrainian drone experts with frontline combat experience. A particular scenario saw a group of approximately ten Ukrainian personnel, simulating enemy forces, executing a counterattack against NATO troops, destroying 17 armored vehicles and performing 30 strikes on various targets in just half a day.
Melchior references anonymous sources as well as Aivar Hanniott, the coordinator of unmanned aerial systems for Estonia's voluntary defense organization Kaitseliit, who commanded a mock enemy unit composed of Estonian and Ukrainian soldiers during the exercise. Hanniott's insights highlight the unexpected effectiveness of the Ukrainian group, underscoring the significant tactical lessons NATO needs to learn in adapting to modern warfare strategies that include extensive use of drones. The stark reality presented in the training environment indicates a current gap in readiness among NATO forces, particularly concerning drone combat abilities.
The commentary ultimately emphasizes the urgent need for improvement within NATO countries, suggesting that underestimating the capabilities of opponents like Ukraine could have serious implications for future defense strategies. As the geopolitical landscape remains tense, this incident serves as a wake-up call for NATO to reassess its training methods and operational tactics in response to evolving threats from adversaries who are increasingly employing advanced technologies in warfare.
