NATO launches platform for fast-track counter-drone procurement

On 5 November 2026, NATO launched an online platform through which member states can select and order counter-unmanned aerial vehicle systems. According to the official announcement, allies can buy directly from the catalogue without an additional tender process.

16 solutions under pre-agreed contracts

The NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) has selected 16 solutions from five companies: Alta Ares, Axon Enterprise Inc., Northrop Grumman, OSL UK and Quantum Systems. The offerings include fixed and transportable systems, as well as systems capable of operating on the move. The framework contracts are valid for a year and a half.

Preparations for the mechanism were described as early as 12 May by the US defence publication Defense News, following a briefing with NATO's head of innovation and technology adoption, Claudio Palestini. At that stage, the plan envisaged selecting 18 solutions. The catalogue officially announced in November contains 16.

The platform shortens the route to signing a contract, but access does not mean that equipment has been delivered or that protection is in place. That requires selecting a suitable configuration, delivery, integration and training.

€3.1 million for testing, but no official price breakdown

NATO has allocated €3.1 million for additional testing by member states or Alliance commands. This is the precise amount given in the official announcement. In a report by Radio România Actualităţi, RADOR, the news agency of Romanian public radio, gives a figure of €3 million.

According to the same report, prices range from €1.5 million to €25 million per system. NATO does not give this range in its announcement, and Flank had found no independent confirmation of the prices at the time of publication.

Without a breakdown of equipment, training and maintenance costs, these figures do not allow a direct comparison between the offerings. Different configurations and tasks also matter: the broad description “counter-unmanned aerial vehicle systems” does not mean that every solution detects, tracks and neutralises targets simultaneously.

Access for allies, but no Bulgarian purchase announced

Cristian Coman of NCIA told Radio România Actualităţi, as quoted by RADOR, that Romanian government representatives are being given access to the platform. They can compare the offerings against national requirements and, after contacting the agency, use the relevant contract to make a purchase. This description of access does not mean that a Romanian order has been announced.

As a NATO member, Bulgaria can also use this procurement mechanism, but there is no confirmed Bulgarian purchase through the platform. When assessing a specific offering, the full cost, delivery timeline and ability to connect to existing surveillance and command-and-control assets will be important. The announcement does not establish whether the systems have been tested for coastal or maritime tasks.

The information may be supplemented if specific orders, tests and delivery terms are announced.