NATO plans to create an unmanned robotic defense zone on the border with Russia and Belarus.

NATO is working on a concept for creating an unmanned robotic defense zone on the border with Russia and Belarus to strengthen the Alliance’s eastern flank.

Bundeswehr Brigadier General Thomas Lowin spoke about this in an interview with the German publication Welt am Sonntag.

We are talking about the Eastern Flank Deterrence Line (EFDL) project, the main goal of which is to protect NATO countries bordering Russia and Belarus, as well as deter a possible attack from them.

According to Lovin, the concept envisions the creation of a complex, multi-layered defense system along the border, utilizing not only conventional forces but also robotic and automated elements. The border zone is planned to be equipped with jamming devices, sensors, and combat systems, which are intended to be intercepted by the enemy at the initial stage.

The defense system will combine sensors and actuators. If an enemy is detected, information will be immediately transmitted to military personnel, who will decide whether to employ connected weapons. These include attack drones, semi-autonomous combat vehicles, robotic ground systems, and automated air defense systems.

At the same time, the general emphasized that the zone will not be completely autonomous: the decision to use weapons will remain with the people. The EFDL’s primary objective is to buy time and space for the main NATO forces to maneuver.

“Unmanned systems cannot deter or stop the enemy for long. For that, we need soldiers and full-fledged armies,” concluded Thomas Lovin.