The lessons of the war in Ukraine have been learnt, and the Lithuanian defence system will already have drone capabilities next year, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, chair of the parliamentary Committee on National Security and Defence (NSGK), has said.
“I feel that lessons have been learnt from the war in Ukraine, and drone capabilities are being planned and purchased. Next year, we will already have clear drone capabilities within our defence system,” Kasčiūnas told reporters at the Seimas on Wednesday.
In his words, anti-drone systems will be acquired “over the upcoming years” and will allow neutralising higher-level drones, like the ones used by Russia in its war against Ukraine.
The systems purchased by Lithuania will be able to perform both intelligence and offensive functions, the NSGK chair added.
In December, the Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency signed a contract, valued at around 45 million euros, to buy Switchblade 600 combat drones from the US.
In addition, almost 13 million euros are earmarked in next year’s budget for the acquisition of drones and anti-drone systems.
In total, the Defence Ministry plans 954 million euros worth of acquisitions next year.
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