Один из метеозондов, перехваченных в Литве. Иллюстративное фото: VSAT
The Lithuanian Seimas Committee on National Security and Defence supports the European Commission’s action plan to counter drone-related threats, LRT reports. Committee chairman Rimantas Sinkevičius described the inclusion of smuggling weather balloons in the initiative as a victory for Lithuanian diplomacy.
“There is one positive moment: (…) balloons have been included in this initiative. Likely thanks to the efforts of Lithuanian diplomats, since this issue is not as relevant for any other country. It is gratifying that Lithuania’s concerns are reaching the European level,” he told journalists on Wednesday.
The plan provides for stricter drone registration, the creation of no-fly zones, and improved detection systems at critical sites. In addition, annual EU-wide exercises to test counter-drone systems are planned.
The document comes amid growing threats from drones and meteorological balloons that the EU has faced in recent years. Since December last year, an emergency situation has been in place in Lithuania due to smuggling balloons launched from Belarus. Lithuanian politicians classify these launches as a hybrid attack by Minsk.
Following its presentation in February, the European Commission has begun discussions with EU member states on the proposed measures.