Lithuania Invests in AI Airspace Monitoring

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense has issued a government contract for an integrated airspace monitoring and control system worth approximately €5m ($5.8m). The report was published by the Lithuanian public broadcaster LRT.

According to Minister of National Defense Robertas Kaunas, the system will be developed using artificial intelligence and will link data from sensors and radars operated by the military and other institutions in real time, enabling more accurate identification of drones and timely warnings to the public.

A functional pilot solution is expected early next year.

By 2027, the system should link all connected sensors and air defense measures. Information about detected objects will be forwarded to local authorities and critical infrastructure operators.

By 2028, the ministry plans to integrate the system with allied data platforms and achieve full interoperability with NATO's integrated air and missile defense system.

Lithuania is also responding to security incidents from recent years, when seven Ukrainian drones suspected of transporting explosives and equipment fitted with Russian devices flew into its territory.

This year, the country has allocated €524m ($609m) for air defense, and Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevicius has announced that a large portion of next year's defense budget will be directed toward this area.

(max)