NATO explains that integrated air and missile defense combines short-, medium-, and long-range systems with sensors, command-and-control, and allied coordination. The logic is simple: short-range handles drones and cruise missiles near targets; medium-range covers larger areas; long-range engages at distance—tied together by radars and data links. Why it matters: layered defense raises the attacker’s cost and buys time for civil defense. A NATO feature breaks down how radars, jets, ships, and ground batteries mesh into one shield.