Lithuania is adapting anti-drone solutions based on systems designed to combat smuggling – LRT
Lithuania plans to repurpose systems previously used to counter smugglers’ balloons so they can be used to intercept drones. The decision aims to strengthen the protection of the country’s airspace.
Following the Ministry of Economy and Innovation’s announcement of a €3 million competition to develop countermeasures against smuggling weather balloons, Minister Edvinas Grikšas emphasized that the new technology should also protect the airspace from drones.
“Initially, the idea always concerned weather balloons, but we recognize the importance of anti-drone systems as well. This should be a dynamic solution for a multi-layered defense system,” Grikšas stated.
According to the minister, a procurement announcement with technical specifications for the technology will be made in the coming days. Both the consortia that won the first competition last fall and other companies are invited to participate.
Griksas emphasized the need for a solution that can be applied to the entire air defense system.
“The air defense system is one of the most complex solutions in the context of modern technological development. There are balloons and drones, and it is important that the solution not be limited to just balloons. It must be applied as part of the overall air defense system,” the minister said.
He also added that following the announcement of the new procurement, the product is expected to be developed within six months, and a pilot batch will be produced a few months later.
After the ministry announced a €1 million competition for businesses last October to develop ideas for protecting Lithuania’s airspace from smuggling weather balloons, funding was awarded to the companies IT logika, Teltonika, and Dangaus sviesos.
To accelerate the development of solutions to neutralize threats in the airspace, the incentive amount for their creators was increased to €3 million.
This was reported by LRT.
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