NATO continues to accelerate the development and integration of counter-unmanned aircraft systems (C-UAS) capabilities to address the growing threat posed by drones across the Alliance. The Technical Interoperability Exercise (TIE) 26 provides the technical and operational framework to assess, validate, and advance interoperable counter-drone solutions within a NATO context.
From 11 to 22 May 2026, approximately 300 participants are gathering in the Netherlands to test the latest C-UAS technology and operational concepts. 40 companies from 11 Allied Nations alongside partner countries Ukraine and Australia are participating in the exercise showcasing more than 60 commercial systems and 40 command-and-control (C2) software applications designed to detect, identify and neutralize unmanned aircraft threats.
Organized by the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) and hosted by the Royal Netherlands Aerospace Centre (NLR), they will assess over 60 systems and technologies during live testing in a controlled environment across multiple scenarios. The exercise aims to determine which solutions could be integrated into NATO’s defence architecture and operate seamlessly alongside existing systems.
This TIE 26 edition also reflects lessons identified from the war in Ukraine, in particular, the evolving use of interceptor C-UAS technology, by testing the potential use of interceptor capabilities against 'enemy' drones.
NCIA provides the exercise network infrastructure, defines the C2 architecture, and conducts technical performance assessment throughout the event. Key evaluation criteria include track stability, sensor-to-C2 integration, identification performance, and engagement chain effectiveness against representative unmanned aircraft threats.
Technologies that demonstrate technically and operationally interoperability during TIE 26 will be eligible to participate in exercise Baltic Trust 26, an operational focused exercise scheduled to take place in Latvia in August 2026.
“TIE 26 demonstrates that interoperability in modern multi-layered C-UAS operations is no longer optional, it is essential!” states Florin Chiper, Exercise C-UAS Expert and Test and Evaluation Chief from NCIA. “The exercise enables radars, radiofrequency sensors, and C2 solutions from multiple nations and industry partners to exchange data in a common and operationally meaningful way. This approach supports the development of a truly integrated and multi-layered C-UAS architecture, where detection, tracking, identification and mitigation capabilities operate together seamlessly to enhance situational awareness, interoperability and operational effectiveness.”
As the drone threat continues to grow and technology develops at a rapid pace, TIE26 is a crucial pillar of NCIA’s work to ensure NATO can identify, adopt and integrate the most reliable counter-drone solutions to keep a competitive advantage in Allied airspace.