BRUSSELS — Ukraine’s innovative “Spider’s Web” drone attack deep into Russia has reshaped modern warfare, says NATO’s top innovation commander, Admiral Pierre Vandier. Calling it a modern-day Trojan horse, Vandier said the operation highlighted the need for continuous battlefield adaptation and rapid military innovation.

With Russia rebuilding its forces fast, NATO must accelerate defense efforts, he warned. While traditional weapons remain essential, cheap drones have shown the power of new tech in modern conflicts, responsible for over 70% of casualties in Ukraine.

NATO is now focused on integrating drones, AI, and robotics into its forces, planning a 30% expansion with spending in the hundreds of billions. Vandier stressed, “We have the tools, expertise, and technology — it’s time to act.”