FLASH INFO: NATO launches Eastern Sentry to strengthen Poland air defense against Russian drones.

According to information released by NATO Allied Command Operations (ACO) on September 12, 2025, the Alliance has launched Eastern Sentry, a new multi-domain operation designed to reinforce NATO’s defensive posture along its Eastern flank. The decision follows repeated Russian drone incursions into Polish airspace on September 10, which led Warsaw to invoke Article 4 of the Washington Treaty and triggered urgent consultations among the Allies.
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Eastern Sentry deployment: Danish F-16AMs and Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate, French Rafales, German Eurofighter Typhoons, with expected UK Typhoon FGR4s and Sky Sabre systems reinforcing NATO’s Eastern flank. (Picture source: Editing Army Recognition Group)

Eastern Sentry is structured as a rapid deployment activity with an undisclosed duration, combining air, land, maritime, and cyber capabilities. Its objectives are twofold: to reinforce deterrence along NATO’s most exposed border and to accelerate the integration of advanced counter-drone and air defense technologies within the Alliance’s command structure.

Aircraft deployments and technical edge

Denmark’s commitment of two F-16AM fighters highlights the enduring relevance of the Fighting Falcon fleet. These aircraft are upgraded to Mid-Life Update (MLU) standards, incorporating the AN/APG-66(V)2 radar, electronic warfare pods, and AIM-120C AMRAAMs. They remain optimized for quick-reaction intercepts against low-altitude drones and potential cruise missile incursions.

France has deployed three Dassault Rafales, bringing multi-role flexibility and advanced electronic warfare capabilities to the operation. The Rafale is equipped with the RBE2-AA active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar and the Spectra electronic warfare suite, allowing simultaneous detection, jamming, and strike operations. Armament options include MICA IR/EM air-to-air missiles for short-range engagements and the Meteor beyond-visual-range missile, offering an extended no-escape zone against intruding aircraft.

Germany’s contribution of four Eurofighter Typhoons adds a high-performance air superiority capability. The Tranche 3 variant is equipped with the Captor-E AESA radar, Link-16 integration, and advanced weapons such as the IRIS-T short-range missile and Meteor BVRAAM. These systems allow for coordinated beyond-visual-range intercepts and close-in defensive engagements, complementing the French Rafales in a layered air policing role.

The United Kingdom is expected to augment the force with Typhoon FGR4s armed with Litening 5 targeting pods and Brimstone 3 precision missiles, enhancing the precision strike dimension of the operation. Discussions are also ongoing regarding the deployment of Sky Sabre surface-to-air missile systems, which employ the CAMM interceptor, capable of engaging multiple low-RCS drones and fast-moving air targets simultaneously.

Maritime and integrated air defense assets

Denmark’s decision to assign an Iver Huitfeldt-class frigate introduces a significant maritime air defense layer. These frigates are fitted with the APAR multifunction radar and vertical launch systems capable of firing SM-2 medium-range missiles and ESSMs (Evolved Sea Sparrow Missiles). The combination provides coverage against aircraft, drones, and cruise missiles over a range of more than 160 km, while also contributing tracking data to NATO’s integrated air defense network.

The naval deployment complements NATO’s NATINAMDS (NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System), which fuses maritime sensors, ground-based radars, and airborne early warning platforms into a single operational picture. This integration aims to address identified gaps in coverage and reaction time during previous Russian drone incursions..

Eastern Sentry is more than a demonstration of Allied solidarity. It marks a concrete shift in NATO’s deterrence posture from routine air policing to a multi-domain operation designed to counter the evolving threat of drone warfare and cross-border incursions. For frontline states like Poland, the presence of advanced fighter aircraft, maritime air defense platforms, and counter-drone systems provides both reassurance and a credible shield against spillover from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

For the wider Alliance, the operation serves as both deterrent and proving ground. By integrating next-generation radars, electronic warfare suites, and kinetic interceptors under real operational conditions, NATO is accelerating its ability to adapt to the drone-centric threats that are increasingly defining modern warfare.

The scale and composition of Eastern Sentry remain partially undisclosed, but defense sources indicate that it may evolve into a rotational standing mission, similar to Baltic Air Policing yet broader in scope. Its long-term purpose is to ensure that NATO maintains the capability to detect, track, and neutralize emerging aerial threats across the entire spectrum, from commercial quadcopters to advanced unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

Eastern Sentry therefore consolidates NATO’s defensive posture on its Eastern flank while simultaneously pushing forward the operational integration of advanced technologies. It signals both immediate readiness to protect Allied airspace and long-term determination to dominate the evolving battlespace where drones and hybrid threats are set to play a central role.