Lithuania Expects to Receive Countermeasures Against Smugglers’ Weather Balloons by End of 2027

Reform.news Editorial Team · 25 September 2026, 14:39

https://reform.news/en/lithuania-expects-to-receive-countermeasures-against-smugglers-weather-balloons-by-end-of-2027/

Lithuania is holding a new competition to develop countermeasures against weather balloons used by smugglers. A competition was already held last year, when three consortia of contractors were selected.

As LRT reports, this year it was decided to increase funding for the project from €1 million to €3 million. Companies were also given the opportunity to submit new applications until Sept. 24. Nine consortia decided to compete for the contracts. The winners are expected to be announced in late October or early November.

At the first stage, the three top participants will each receive €233,000 to develop a prototype technological solution and demonstrate it in real-world conditions. At the second stage, one of the top participants will receive €2.3 million to produce a pilot batch and test the final solution in operation.

The pilot batch of drones or other equipment is expected to be delivered by the end of 2027, although these deadlines are tentative and may be pushed back.

Smugglers transporting cigarettes from Belarus have increasingly used airborne delivery methods, including weather balloons, since the border barrier was built. Last year, 635 consignments of cigarettes delivered by balloons were intercepted. This year, the figure stands at just 135 so far. For most of the year, winds blow from Lithuania toward Belarus. In late autumn and winter, however, the prevailing direction reverses, creating more favorable conditions for smuggling. At the same time, weather balloons can pose a potential danger to air traffic, requiring operations at Vilnius Airport to be suspended.