NATO sent the largest drone in the world to the border of the Russian Federation: why did it take

The RQ-4D Phoenix flew at high altitude over the territories of the Allies and in the international airspace, gathering the data needed by the Alliance "to support collective restraint and defense". At the same time, the reconnaissance drone first found himself on the territory of a new member of the military-political bloc-Finland, which borders with Russia.

The operation was organized due to the fact that the NATO Air Force continues to intensify their intelligence on the eastern borders of the Alliance after Russia's full -scale war against Ukraine. Since 2022, NATO drones have fulfilled several missions on the eastern flank of the North Atlantic Union, mainly in the Black Sea region. The Flight on September 13 also helped NAGSF operators to get acquainted with the new terrain.

The remotely manned RQ-4D aircraft, which was nicknamed "Phoenix" is one of the most perfect drones in the world, providing exploration, observation and reconnaissance in a large area. NATO planes are based on Sigonelli, Italy, and can be in the air for more than 30 hours at a time. Observations and intelligence data collected by plane and analyzed by NAGSF experts are provided to all allies to inform the North Atlantic Union decision making processes.

It should be noted that RQ-4D Phoenix is ​​the largest size and mass of serial UAVs in the world. We will remind, on September 5 it became known that US military drone RQ-4 Global Hawk again followed the Russian Federation from the Black Sea. The American UAV was circling for 12 hours over the Black Sea waters 140 km from the Crimea a week after it was driven by Russian fighters.