Lithuania Seeks One System to Track Drones

Lithuania is moving ahead with a roughly €5 million project to bring information about drones and other airborne threats into one shared system.

The Lithuanian Defense Ministry said on October 28 that 12 companies and consortia had submitted initial proposals. Participants include Lithuanian businesses and partnerships with foreign companies.

Contracts are expected in December. Up to three participants will be selected for the first development stage, with one continuing through the later stages.

Following a Threat Across the Country

The proposed system would combine information from military and civilian sensors, radars and other equipment.

When an object is detected, information would reach the responsible authorities and operators of critical infrastructure in the affected area. As it moves, tracking would pass between areas without interruption.

The practical aim is to help different organizations work from the same picture of what is happening overhead.

When launching the project in September, Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said automated information sharing would improve identification of threats, support a faster response and help authorities warn the public.

The ministry also wants Lithuanian engineers and technology companies involved in developing the capability.

Pilot First, Wider Connections Later

A working pilot is expected in early 2027. During that year, the system is intended to combine connected sensors and air-defense assets into a shared picture.

Connections to the armed forces’ airspace surveillance system and allied data platforms are planned for 2028.

The project forms part of a broader effort to strengthen defenses against small airborne threats. The announced funding covers this integration project; the timetable still depends on development and testing.

Separately, Lithuania is introducing SkyFortress, a Ukrainian system designed to detect low-flying objects through their sound and electromagnetic signatures.

The ministry announced that work on October 2. Testing will assess how effectively the Ukrainian technology detects and identifies low-flying drones under Lithuanian conditions.