Lithuania to Fund Domestic Fighter Drone Project

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense and the Defense Resources Agency will allocate about €3m ($3.4m) to develop a domestic fighter drone. According to LRT, the goal is to create a cost-effective and fully Lithuanian system capable of detecting, intercepting and neutralizing enemy unmanned aerial systems.

Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas said strengthening the defense industry and air defense were among the country’s main priorities. Developing technology with Lithuanian engineers would help ensure that strategic expertise and technological capabilities remain in the country, he said, calling the project a long-term investment in national security.

The project will be carried out in two phases. In the first, up to five entities will receive funding to develop functional prototypes. In the second, the government will purchase a pilot batch of finished products from up to two successful developers with the best results.

The project is one of the innovation measures set out in the Defense and Security Industry Act. It is intended to give local technology developers a role in responding to current security threats.

(max)