NATO revises drone procurement as Russia condemns Japan‑Ukraine drone cooperation

NATO senior officials said that mass‑producing and stockpiling drones is ineffective because the technology quickly becomes obsolete, as the war in Ukraine has demonstrated. They called for a shift to procurement models that rely on rapid industrial scaling, close partnership with defence firms and the ability to produce drones on demand. Germany’s chief of staff echoed the concern, warning that millions of drones could be outdated by 2029 if held in reserve.

In a separate development, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Rudenco criticised ongoing technical cooperation between Japanese and Ukrainian companies on drone technology, labeling it a "clear hostile act" and accusing Japan of facilitating attacks on Russian civilians. He also denounced the presence of U.S. missile systems in Japan as a direct threat to Russia’s Far East.

Both statements highlight the growing geopolitical tension surrounding drone capabilities and supply chains amid the Ukraine conflict.