NATO is planning a smart, troopless defense zone on Russia's borders
In a significant strategic shift reflecting the evolution of modern warfare, military reports have revealed advanced plans by NATO to reshape its defense system on Europe's eastern border with Russia. The new plan, expected to take shape over the next two years, relies on advanced technology and automated systems instead of the traditional heavy reliance on human personnel on the front lines.
Fully automated defense zone
According to German General Thomas Lewin, deputy chief of operations at NATO's Allied Land Command in Izmir, Turkey, speaking to the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, the alliance is working to create an "automated defense zone." This zone would serve as a security belt relying on equipment and machinery that operate almost entirely without direct human intervention in the field, creating what the general described as a "hot zone" that any enemy force would have to cross before reaching the main defense lines.
The plan's technological arsenal includes a vast network of advanced sensors capable of accurately detecting enemy movements and activating immediate defensive systems, including armed drones, robotic combat vehicles, unmanned ground robots, and automated air and missile defense systems. Despite this heavy reliance on artificial intelligence, Lewin emphasized that the final and decisive decision to use firepower will "always remain under human control" to ensure compliance with international laws and rules of engagement.
Geopolitical context and evolution of military doctrine
These plans come at a time when the European continent is experiencing unprecedented tensions since the Cold War, especially after the outbreak of the Russian-Ukrainian war in February 2022. This conflict has prompted NATO to conduct a comprehensive review of its defense doctrine, shifting the focus from a strategy of "deterrence by punishment" to one of "deterrence by prevention," which requires defensive capabilities capable of stopping any potential attack from the very first moment and directly on the alliance's borders.
This project is of paramount importance to NATO's eastern flank countries, such as Poland, the Baltic states, and Romania, which have long called for tangible defense enhancements. Modern technology offers an effective solution to bridge human resource gaps and accelerate response times to modern threats characterized by their speed and unexpected nature.
Artificial intelligence and an eye on the future
General Lewin indicated that the new system will rely on the deployment of sensors covering thousands of kilometers on land, in the air, and even in space and cyberspace. These devices will collect and analyze data on enemy movements in real time and share it instantly with all NATO countries using cloud computing and artificial intelligence technologies, giving NATO commanders a unified and accurate operational picture.
Practical steps have already begun to implement this vision, with pilot projects currently underway in Poland and Romania to test some of the system's components. The defense system is planned to be fully operational by the end of 2027, responding to calls from the leaders of eight Northern and Eastern European countries who, last December, demanded that the fortification of Europe's eastern flank be given top priority.
