NATO plans unmanned robotic zone on border with Russia and Belarus

NATO has planned to create an unmanned robotic zone along its border with Russia and Belarus over the next two years and to pre-position significantly more weapons there.

Source: Brigadier General Thomas Lowin, speaking to German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Brigadier General Thomas Lowin of the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) became the first NATO general to publicly set out the new defence concept – Eastern Flank Deterrence Line (EFDL). Welt am Sonntag reports that NATO aims to implement it, if possible, by the end of 2027.

Quote: "We will see noticeably larger stockpiles than before in NATO states bordering Russia."

More details: Lowin is deputy chief of staff for operations at NATO's Land Command in Izmir, Türkiye.

He says that this includes "weapon and ammunition depots for rearming defence systems in the automated zone and for equipping NATO forces".

Lowin also said that the alliance intends to build a "comprehensive multi-layer defence system" along the border with Russia and Belarus. He says it would rely not only on conventional troops but also on obstacles and technology to create a robotic or automated zone close to the border which an enemy would have to overcome first.

A network of reconnaissance sensors and largely automated robotic weapons would help stop Russian forces at the first stage of an attack while preserving NATO soldiers' lives. The new automated zone would be predominantly unmanned, Lowin adds.

Background:

• The European Commission on 16 October 2025 presented to EU member states a comprehensive plan to strengthen Europe's defence capabilities, including measures to counter drones and other threats from the air, sea and space.
• The EU has also said it wants to create a drone alliance with Ukraine in early 2026.
• Poland intends to begin developing a national anti-drone system within the next few months, without waiting for the European Union's drone wall initiative to be implemented.

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