Report: Sweden And Latvia Prepare For Anti-Drone Warfare in NATO Drill Shaped By Ukraine War Lessons.

On August 27, 2025, the Swedish Armed Forces announced the completion of a major drone warfare exercise in Latvia, conducted jointly with the Latvian Armed Forces and NATO allies. As reported by the Swedish Armed Forces, the drills, carried out under the framework of Exercise Baltic Trust, were designed to replicate conditions similar to those in Ukraine, where drones have become decisive weapons on the modern battlefield. This practice highlights the urgency of adapting national and allied defenses to counter the fast-evolving threat of unmanned aerial systems.

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The Baltic Trust exercise demonstrates that the Swedish Armed Forces are accelerating their transformation toward drone-centered warfare, combining national innovation with allied cooperation (Picture source: Swedish Armed Forces)

The exercise gathered Swedish drone and anti-drone units from across the services, bringing together operators, equipment and new technologies into a shared operational environment. Their mission was to test the full spectrum of drone warfare, from reconnaissance and combat employment to counter-drone measures. Scenarios included detection and jamming of hostile UAVs, drone-on-drone engagements, attacks against ground troops, and the use of body-worn protection systems. In parallel, Swedish units were embedded with Latvian troops to strengthen interoperability in ground combat. The drills also involved representatives from Swedish and foreign defense industries, reflecting an ongoing effort to accelerate the transition of emerging technologies into deployable capabilities.

Sweden and Latvia both recognize the operational urgency of this field. The war in Ukraine has shown how drones, whether for surveillance, artillery guidance or direct strikes, can tilt the balance on the battlefield. The Swedish Armed Forces, through projects such as DEMO UCAV, have begun developing integrated capabilities for drone combat and information sharing, combining telewarfare expertise with tactical countermeasures. According to Anders Lagö, head of telewar and anti-drone development at the Swedish Command and Control School, Baltic Trust is the first in a series of exercises aimed at rapidly building units with full-spectrum drone warfare skills. The emphasis placed on swift and reliable information exchange reflects lessons drawn from Ukraine, where rapid decision-making often defines survivability.

Operationally, Sweden has only recently formalized its approach to drone warfare, yet the joint training with Latvia and NATO demonstrates a proactive shift toward layered defense. Both countries are building capacities not only to counter drones but also to integrate them effectively into combined arms warfare. The Swedish Armed Forces’ participation also reinforces its commitment to NATO’s eastern flank, with Latvia providing a frontline environment for testing doctrines directly applicable to high-intensity conflict. Industrial cooperation adds another dimension, as companies present on the ground evaluated prototypes and system solutions, some of which have already been recognized as among the most advanced in Europe.

Strategically, the implications are significant. The proliferation of drones in Ukraine has already influenced NATO planning, prompting investments in jamming, kinetic interceptors, and protective equipment for troops. For Sweden, which has recently deepened its integration into NATO structures, the Baltic Trust exercise is not just about technical adaptation but also about geopolitical signaling: ensuring readiness against hybrid threats and bolstering deterrence in the Baltic region. For Latvia, this collaboration enhances resilience against the growing Russian drone presence near its borders, while simultaneously embedding Swedish know-how into NATO’s collective defense posture.

The Baltic Trust exercise demonstrates that the Swedish Armed Forces are accelerating their transformation toward drone-centered warfare, combining national innovation with allied cooperation. By translating battlefield lessons from Ukraine into practical training in Latvia, Sweden and its partners are shaping an operational model that strengthens NATO’s ability to counter emerging aerial threats and ensures that allied forces remain resilient in future conflicts.