Lithuanian Economy and Innovation Minister Edvinas Grikšas has said that a new solution designed to protect the country’s airspace from weather balloons and drones should become part of a multi-layered air defense system, LRT reported. The ministry previously announced a €3 million competition for the development of protection technologies. Initially, €1 million had been allocated, but funding was tripled to accelerate development.
“The original idea was always focused on balloons, but we also see the importance of anti-drone systems. This should be a dynamic solution within a multi-layered defense system,” he said in a podcast for the business publication Verslo žinios. “The primary target is balloons, but drones are important as well.”
A pre-commercial procurement process with detailed technical specifications is expected to be announced in the coming days. Companies that won the first competition last autumn — IT Logika, Teltonika and Dangaus šviesos — as well as other participants will be invited to take part. In April, the minister said that prototype versions of the technologies would be procured no later than early next year, roughly within 10 months, although this could happen sooner.
“An air defense system is one of the most complex solutions in the context of modern technological development. There are balloons, there are drones, and it is important that the solution is not limited to balloons alone. It should function as part of an overall air defense system,” he said.
Grikšas previously noted that the systems under development are already capable of detecting and bringing down balloons, although work is continuing on methods to ensure that their payloads can land safely.
