NATO implements Standing Defense Plan 12000 for drone/cruise missile defense

NATO is rolling out a new integrated air and missile defense concept (EVA Eastern Sentry and Standing Defense Plan 12000) aimed at faster detection/C2 and more cost-efficient interception of one-way attack drones and cruise missiles. The novelty is the shift from traditional air policing and expensive fighter intercepts toward an alliance-wide, standing air-defense posture with lower-cost interceptors and improved coordination.