Latvia is deploying interceptor drones and automatic cannons along its border with Russia

In the coming days, Latvia will officially deploy interceptor drone units along its eastern border, as well as turrets equipped with remotely controlled 50-mm automatic cannons. 

This was announced at a media briefing by Major Modris Kairišs, head of the Latvian Autonomous Systems Competence Center (ASCC), according to Euractiv. He stated that the military has already successfully completed testing of the interception systems.

To effectively detect low-altitude air targets (between 50 and 100 meters), where terrain obstructs conventional radars, Latvia has established a multi-tiered surveillance network. It consists of:

• Acoustic sensors;

• Tactical radars;

• Optical camera systems.

Major Kairišs acknowledged that the process of detecting drones and rapidly transmitting information is a more complex task than the interception itself. The main challenges for Latvia at present are a lack of resources and NATO’s outdated approaches to command and control systems. Maintaining border defense on the model of Ukraine in peacetime requires the deployment of thousands of military personnel, which places an enormous burden on the staff.

In addition, current security procedures and the centralization of classified data slow down the transmission of target coordinates to mobile teams on the front lines. To address this issue, Latvia, in collaboration with other NATO members, is developing parallel command and control networks with a lower classification level. This will allow for the rapid dissemination of information about enemy drones and accelerate tactical responses directly along the border with Russia.

On the morning of May 23, another drone incursion was recorded in Latvia. Prior to this, air raid alerts due to UAVs had been declared in the country nearly every day that week.

According to The Telegraph, Russia has allegedly learned to intercept and “reroute” Ukrainian drones, forcing them to fly toward NATO countries. Due to massive electronic warfare attacks, the drones lose their bearings and begin to veer off course.