Lithuania has concluded a week-long C.U.A.S February 26 exercise at the Pabradė training area, testing newly developed countermeasures against kamikaze drones and weather balloons, the army reported on Friday.
The exercise allowed security and defence industry representatives to demonstrate their equipment, assess its effectiveness against simulated targets, and evaluate compatibility with existing military systems.
Participants included Lithuanian defence sector consortia and companies, alongside guests from Latvia and Estonia.
Demonstrations focused on drone and balloon detection, interception, and neutralisation systems. Observers included officials from state institutions, the defence industry, venture capital funds, and the scientific community.
“The exercise helps planning and procurement agencies identify the most effective solutions for countering aerial threats,” the army said.
Concerns over Lithuania’s airspace intensified after two Russian Gerbera drones entered the country over the summer, one carrying explosives. The situation was compounded by balloons carrying contraband cigarettes from Belarus, which repeatedly disrupted airport operations.
In response, the Economy and Innovation Ministry launched a €1 million call in October for innovative solutions to protect Lithuanian airspace from contraband balloons. By November, 35 applications had been received, with authorities aiming to select and procure an effective solution for combating the balloons within three months.
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