The Lithuanian Armed Forces announced Wednesday they were establishing a drone unit to expand long-range capabilities.
According to the military, the move follows two years of development, with drone training capabilities first initiated in 2024. The new unit will centralise these capabilities.
“This unit specifically combines the art of warfare with the need for innovation,” Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas told troops during the ceremony on Wednesday.
The unit will be called ANBO, or Autonomous Long-Range UAV Operations unit, which was also the name of Lithuanian interwar military and civilian planes.
The announcement comes after suspected drones twice violated Lithuanian airspace last week.
Following these incidents, Baltic leaders called for increased focus on the security of NATO’s eastern flank, and a meeting with the President of the European Commission was held in Vilnius.
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