Latvia's President Edgars Rinkēvičs has warned that Europe is falling behind in adapting to the rapid evolution of drone and aerial warfare seen in Ukraine. Speaking during a Guardian interview in Washington DC, Rinkēvičs said that developments in this area are happening at a "lightning speed," and current air defense systems may become obsolete by mid-2025. He emphasized that many NATO countries would struggle to defend against a potential Russian missile attack, as existing air defense, drone defense, and anti-ballistic systems face significant challenges. Efforts to bolster defenses are being hampered by delays in delivering crucial air-defense systems, such as the Patriot missile system, to Ukraine and its allies. The United States has already used nearly two-thirds of its stockpile of critical interceptors in the conflict, and it may take at least five years to replenish these supplies. While the U.S. has explored outsourcing the production of Patriot systems to Ukraine and Europe, no formal agreements have been reached. Rinkēvičs acknowledged the technical and licensing challenges involved, stating that the decision ultimately rests with the U.S. government and the manufacturers. These concerns come as NATO allies increase warnings about the risk of Russia escalating the war in Ukraine. Poland’s Prime Minister Donald Tusk has warned that Russia could conduct drone or missile attacks on NATO countries supporting Ukraine to test the alliance's commitment to collective defense under Article 5 of its charter. Tusk suggested that Russia might attempt to undermine NATO's unity by portraying such incidents as accidental, rather than deliberate attacks. While the Baltic states have not indicated that Russia is preparing for a conventional war to reclaim former Soviet territories, Rinkēvičs warned that Russia is likely to increase military mobilization in the coming months after local elections and use the winter to intensify its efforts in Ukraine. He noted that Russia is also likely to take measures aimed at discouraging nations that support Ukraine. These include acts of sabotage, cyber-attacks, and drone or missile strikes, which he views as tests of European resolve. Although Rinkēvičs ruled out a full-scale conventional invasion, he urged vigilance regarding other potential threats. Recent incidents, including a NATO jet shooting down a Russian drone over Lithuania and Poland scrambling fighter jets and closing airports in response to a Russian strike in western Ukraine, underscore the growing tensions. Rinkēvičs also expressed concerns about whether European countries are on track to meet the goal of spending 5% of their GDP on defense, a benchmark set by the U.S. under the Trump administration. While he noted that discussions about Europe taking greater responsibility for its own defense are becoming more constructive, he stressed that developing real military capabilities requires time. "Our message is also to do that, we need time," he said, emphasizing that such progress cannot be achieved quickly.