NATO wants to train five times as many drone operators by the end of 2027. US Army National Guard photo NATO revealed plans on Tuesday to quintuple its number of trained drone operators by the end of 2027. It's part of an initiative that will also include major investments in counter-drone capabilities. The move comes as Western militaries increasingly look to prepare for modern battlefields. NATO unveiled plans on Tuesday for a fivefold increase in trained drone operators by the end of 2027,