A US-made counter-drone system is catching the attention of NATO allies after racking up over 1,000 Shahed drone kills in Ukraine. Now, the weapon is en route to allied forces, ready to bolster frontline defenses.
Born from the American Project Eagle initiative, Merops combines a ground control station, a launch platform, and a fast-moving Surveyor interceptor drone into a single, low-cost package.
A four-person crew, consisting of a commander, a pilot, and two technicians, can reportedly train to operate the entire system in just two weeks.
According to Business Insider, one Merops system costs roughly $15,000, compared with $35,000 per Iranian Shahed, making it a smart, attritable solution for large-scale drone attacks.
It also frees up expensive missiles for use against heavier, armored threats.
Arming the West
Merops has secretly proven its chops in Ukraine, where it has reportedly taken down over 1,000 Shaheds used by Russia.
This combat record has NATO allies moving quickly to integrate the system, with Polish Deputy Prime Minister Władysław Kosiniak-Kamysz committing deployment along the alliance’s eastern borders.
“Along NATO’s eastern flank, systems are being deployed that will enhance our capabilities for detecting and countering drones,” Kosiniak-Kamysz said in a social media post.
Polish troops are already training alongside Romanian and American forces to operate Merops.
As Fast as Jet-Powered Drones
Merops’ Surveyor drone can carry explosive warheads at speeds up to 175 miles (282 kilometers) per hour, destroying targets through head-on collision or nearby detonation.
Fast enough to keep up with jet-powered drones, it can intercept targets “within minutes” while resisting electronic warfare.
The system can be controlled remotely or fly on its own, using a suite of thermal and radio sensors to hunt, track, and neutralize targets.
