NATO debates loosening rules of engagement on eastern airspace

NATO officials said this week the alliance is discussing loosening rules that govern when pilots on its eastern flank may use lethal force against unauthorized aircraft, part of a broader debate over tougher responses to a series of recent incidents involving Russian planes, unidentified drones, and alleged sabotage across Europe. The discussions, driven initially by countries bordering Russia, include proposals to arm surveillance drones along the border, standardize rules of engagement among member states, and expand military activity near Russia’s frontier.

Officials involved in the talks said one immediate goal is to simplify and harmonize engagement criteria, which currently vary by country. Some states require visual identification of a target before a pilot may fire, while others permit engagement based on radar tracks and threat assessments. Proposals under consideration include lowering the threshold for interception or shootdown of perceived threats and deploying armed remotely piloted aircraft to reduce the cost and risk of repeatedly scrambling manned fighters against swarms of small drones.

The European Parliament on Thursday adopted a nonbinding resolution urging...