In a warehouse located more than 1,500 kilometers from Ukraine's capital, workers in northern Denmark are meticulously assembling anti-drone devices. These crucial defense systems are destined for two primary fronts: the battlefields of Ukraine, where they will jam Russian technology, and various locations across Europe, where NATO nations are combating a surge of mysterious drone intrusions that have put the entire continent on high alert.
Surge in Demand for Counter-Drone Solutions
Two Danish defense companies report a significant increase in new clients seeking to protect sensitive sites like airports, military installations, and critical infrastructure. This demand spike follows numerous drone flyovers targeting such facilities in recent weeks.
Weibel Scientific, a company with decades of radar experience, deployed its drone detection technology at Copenhagen Airport ahead of a key EU summit this year. This deployment came after unidentified drone sightings closed the airport's airspace for hours in September.
Meanwhile, MyDefence operates from its northern Denmark warehouse, producing handheld, wearable radio frequency devices that can sever the connection between a drone and its pilot, effectively neutralizing the threat.
Evolution of Drone Warfare and Countermeasures
While jamming technology faces strict regulations within the European Union, it has become widespread in Ukraine conflict zones. The battlefield usage has become so extensive that both Russia and Ukraine have adapted by deploying drones tethered by thin fiber-optic cables that don't rely on vulnerable radio frequency signals.
Russia has further escalated the technological arms race by firing attack drones equipped with extra antennae specifically designed to counter Ukraine's jamming efforts.
The drone warfare landscape transformed dramatically following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia has consistently bombarded Ukrainian infrastructure including railways, power facilities, and cities using drones and missiles. Ukraine has responded with daring strikes deep inside Russian territory using domestically produced drones.
Europe's Wake-Up Call and Response
European security concerns reached new heights in September when drone intrusions into NATO airspace reached unprecedented levels. This prompted European leaders to agree to develop a comprehensive "drone wall" along their borders to better detect, track, and intercept unauthorized drones.
In November, NATO military officials confirmed the deployment of a new U.S. anti-drone system to the alliance's eastern flank. Many European officials interpret these incidents as Moscow testing NATO's response capabilities, raising serious questions about the alliance's preparedness against Russian threats.
Andreas Graae, assistant professor at the Royal Danish Defense College, emphasized there is a "huge drive" to rapidly deploy counter-drone systems throughout Europe amid continuing Russian aggression.
"All countries in Europe are struggling to find the right solutions to be prepared for these new drone challenges," Graae stated. "We don't have all the things that are needed to actually be good enough to detect drones and have early warning systems."
Company Growth and Technological Innovation
Founded in 2013, MyDefence specializes in devices that protect airports, government buildings, and critical infrastructure. CEO Dan Hermansen identified the Russia-Ukraine war as a definitive "turning point" for his company.
Since Russia's invasion nearly four years ago, MyDefence has delivered more than 2,000 units of its wearable "Wingman" detector to Ukrainian forces. The company's earnings doubled last year to approximately $18.7 million compared to 2023.
The mysterious drone flyovers earlier this year, which affected Copenhagen Airport and four smaller Danish airports (including two military bases), served as an "eye-opener" for many European nations, according to Hermansen.
"Seeing suddenly that drone warfare is not just something that happens in Ukraine or on the eastern flank, but basically is something that we need to take care of in a hybrid warfare threat scenario," he explained.
On NATO's eastern flank, Denmark, Poland, and Romania are deploying the American Merops system - compact enough to fit in a midsize pickup truck - which can identify drones and close in on them using artificial intelligence, even when satellite and electronic communications are jammed.
North of Copenhagen, Weibel Scientific has manufactured Doppler radar technology since the 1970s. Traditionally used in aerospace tracking systems, this technology now finds critical application in drone detection.
CEO Peter Røpke explained that their technology can determine a drone's velocity based on wavelength changes in bounced-back signals, enabling prediction of the object's movement direction.
"The Ukraine war, and especially how it has evolved over the last couple of years with drone technology, means this type of product is in high demand," Røpke noted.
Earlier this year, Weibel secured a $76 million deal, which the company described as its "largest order ever." The continued discussion around the proposed "drone wall" has further boosted demand, with Røpke suggesting his technology could become a "key component" of any future drone shield system.
