After Lithuania declared its first-ever air-raid alert caused by a drone, defence experts are warning that such incidents are likely to become more frequent – and that the country's detection and response systems are not yet fit for purpose.
"We can call ourselves a near-frontline state," said retired Colonel Romas Žibas. "It is a slight stretch, but for the sake of vigilance we must regard ourselves as a country that is close to active combat operations."
Coordination and speed are the priorities
Colonel Žibas said he believes the Lithuanian military is already paying close attention to drone defence. His chief concern at present is the coordination between the State Border Guard Service (VSAT), the armed forces, and local authorities.
In his view, once border guards detect a drone using infrared sensors, the military must immediately establish its flight direction and move to intercept it, bringing it down in a safe location.
