Lithuania announced on Friday that it, along with five other NATO member states bordering Russia, has agreed to construct a “drone wall” to bolster their defense against potential “provocations.”
This collaborative effort aims to employ unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for enhanced border protection amidst growing security concerns in the region, particularly due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.
Lithuanian Interior Minister Agne Bilotaite revealed the plan following discussions with her counterparts from neighboring Baltic states Estonia and Latvia, as well as Finland, Norway, and Poland.
Bilotaite emphasized the innovative nature of this initiative, describing it as a comprehensive defense system spanning from Norway to Poland.
She said:
“This is a completely new thing, a drone wall stretching from Norway to Poland, and the goal is to use drones and other technologies to protect our borders. Not only with physical infrastructure, surveillance systems, but also with drones and other technologies, which would allow us to protect against provocations from unfriendly countries and to prevent smuggling.”
The defense strategy is not limited to physical barriers and surveillance systems. Bilotaite elaborated that the plan involves integrating drones and various technologies to shield against provocations from hostile nations and to prevent smuggling activities.
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She further explained that, in addition to physical infrastructure and surveillance systems, drones and other technologies will be deployed to protect our borders effectively.
Moreover, the initiative includes the use of anti-drone systems to intercept and neutralize enemy UAVs, thereby enhancing the overall security apparatus.
While Bilotaite did not provide a specific timeline for the implementation of this ambitious project, the announcement underscores a significant step towards collaborative defense efforts among NATO members in response to regional threats.
This strategic move reflects the heightened vigilance and proactive measures being taken by these nations to safeguard their sovereignty and maintain stability in a geopolitically sensitive area.
As the situation in Ukraine continues to evolve, the “drone wall” stands as a testament to the collective resolve of NATO allies to address emerging security challenges through technological innovation and cooperation.