Lithuania has started testing the Ukrainian-made SkyFortress system, a technology designed to detect low-flying drones and other aerial threats. By tapping into expertise gained from the war in Ukraine, Vilnius aims to integrate this technology into a broader, modernized airspace protection system.
This marks another step for Lithuania as Baltic countries face a growing number of drone-related airspace incidents.
Lithuania builds on proven wartime solutions
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence, SkyFortress is the initial component of a wider defensive network, focused on monitoring airspace and delivering early warning of potential threats.
Rather than developing new technology from scratch, Lithuania is adapting a solution already proven in the conflict in Ukraine.
Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas noted that aerial threats are evolving rapidly, and the country must respond flexibly to new technologies and tactics.
Such changes affect NATO’s entire eastern flank. The alliance has significantly increased its air defense activities and preparedness in recent months.
System uses artificial intelligence
SkyFortress is designed for detecting and tracking low-flying drones and guided missiles. It identifies objects by analyzing their acoustic and electromagnetic signatures.
The system uses artificial intelligence to process collected data in real time, classifying detected objects. During testing in Lithuania, its effectiveness in identifying and tracking low-flying unmanned aerial vehicles under local conditions will be evaluated.
The project also encompasses processing sensor data, using acoustic and radio signature databases, and training relevant personnel.
Ukraine war accelerates anti-drone technology
Ukraine has gained extensive practical experience with both deploying and countering drones during the ongoing war. Unmanned aircraft are used for reconnaissance, attacks, and targeting other weapons on the battlefield.
European countries are now looking to apply lessons learned from real combat conditions to enhance their own defenses.
Lithuania has previously worked with Ukraine to develop defense technologies. The two countries have signed a cooperation agreement in the defense industry that includes collaboration on air defense and unmanned systems.
Baltic states see more drone incidents
The surge in interest in anti-drone systems is driven by recurring airspace incidents in the Baltic states.
Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia have all recorded drones entering their airspace. Some were Ukrainian drones that reportedly veered off course during attacks on targets in Russia.
Other cases have involved drones coming from Belarusian territory. In September, Lithuania reported an incident in which a drone entered from Belarus and was shot down by Italian Eurofighter jets deployed as part of a NATO mission.
NATO has also intervened with drones in Estonia. In May, a Romanian fighter jet downed a Ukrainian drone after Estonian authorities said it had deviated from its planned path.
No single system is enough
SkyFortress is not intended as a stand-alone solution for Lithuania’s airspace. It is to become part of a larger, integrated defense network.
Lithuania is also procuring radars, drone detection systems, and unmanned interception vehicles. The goal is to connect these technologies so the military can detect threats early, identify them, and—if necessary—take appropriate action.
The country has previously tested a variety of detection and counter-drone technologies. During military exercises in June, solutions from manufacturers in Ukraine, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Poland, and Belgium were also evaluated.
Rapid threat assessment is crucial
One challenge with drones is quickly distinguishing each detected object. An aerial target might be a military drone, a civilian aircraft, another kind of unmanned vehicle, or even a misdirected object.
This is why Lithuania’s strategy is not focused only on shooting down intruders; early detection and proper assessment of airspace situations are considered key.
If testing proves successful, SkyFortress could gradually be integrated into Lithuania’s nationwide air surveillance network.
Baltic security remains a sensitive issue
Lithuania is among the NATO countries on the alliance’s eastern flank paying heightened attention to airspace security. Its location—between Belarus and Russia’s Kaliningrad enclave—means drone incidents carry wider security implications.
Efforts to strengthen counter-drone capabilities are ongoing not only in Lithuania, but across the region.
The testing of the Ukrainian SkyFortress system underlines how lessons from the Ukraine war are now informing defense planning across Europe. For Lithuania, the decisive factors will be how the technology performs in real-world conditions and how well it can integrate with its broader air defense infrastructure.
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This article was translated from the original Slovak version with the assistance of AI.
