Lithuania to purchase new counter-drone systems

Lithuania will rapidly procure pilot batches of UAS interceptors, and short-range and passive radars, to counter the threat from small, low-flying drones.

According to the Lithuanian government, the use of “traditional air defences” to intercept smaller UASs is not always financially or technologically sustainable. The country’s armed forces therefore require the new interceptors and radars to detect, assess, and neutralise small aerial targets earlier.

The government announced on 2 September that it has authorised the country’s Ministry of National Defence to fast track the acquisition, bypassing standard procurement rules.

“By quickly acquiring interceptor drones and radars, we are strengthening Lithuania’s real defence capabilities,” Robertas Kaunas, the Lithuanian Minister of National Defence, said.

Rapid testing and development

The Lithuanian government says that UAS and counter-UAS technologies are evolving rapidly, with Ukraine demonstrating two to eight week iteration cycles of these systems.

Lithuania is therefore seeking to test pilot batches of interceptor drones from different manufacturers that have already been used in Ukraine. This will enable its military to select the most effective technology, the country’s government states.

The tests are also intended to assess the compatibility of the interceptors with the systems already in use by the Lithuanian Armed Forces.

The Lithuanian government has not disclosed the value of the procurements or the number of systems to be bought.