The US and UK have signed a Joint Declaration of Intent to establish common data standards for counter‑unmanned aerial system (C‑UAS) technologies, a step aimed at improving interoperability and speeding deployment of anti‑drone capabilities.
Led by Joint Interagency Task Force 401 (JIATF‑401), the agreement seeks to address a persistent challenge: C‑UAS systems often use incompatible data formats that hinder sensor fusion and collaborative responses during operations.
By adopting a shared standard, US and UK forces will be able to share detection and tracking data more seamlessly, enhancing situational awareness and joint effectiveness against unmanned aerial threats.
The US Army said that this declaration will help streamline foreign military sales and expand access to the JIATF‑401 marketplace. Initial efforts will see expansion to up to five nations in the coming weeks, with the aim of granting 25 countries access to the marketplace by summer.
US Army Secretary Dan Driscoll noted that the effort supports collective security and defense industrial base strength, with plans to extend the standards to several additional countries this year.
“This initiative will accelerate our ability to deploy the most effective C-UAS capabilities to protect our soldiers,” he said.
Counter‑Drone Collaboration Initiatives
Efforts to harmonize and enhance counter‑drone capabilities are underway across allied nations, often involving joint projects or partnerships.
South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace teamed up with Estonian firm Frankenburg Technologies in February 2026 to co‑develop counter‑UAS systems that integrate radar, guided launchers, and fire‑control software for next‑generation land platforms.
Swedish firm Saab demonstrated rapid counter‑drone capability development when it unveiled the modular Loke C‑UAS system in March 2025, built in collaboration with the Swedish Air Force and other partners.
Across NATO, collaborative exercises and interoperability efforts continue.
In March 2025, the NATO Communications and Information Agency supported multinational training in the Netherlands, focusing on adapting air and missile defense procedures to incorporate counter‑drone technologies from multiple countries and vendors.
