While the planned drone wall has not gained broad political support, countries along NATO’s eastern flank are taking action on their own to expand air defense capabilities.
The failed initiative has highlighted a new reality: governments are relying on bilateral agreements with manufacturers, shortening supply chains and speeding up production to combat the growing threat posed by drones. Lithuanian drone and technology companies are attracting increasing attention from foreign investors, underscoring the importance of cross-border cooperation in the European defense industry. One example is Lithuanian company ADV Defense. Several weeks ago, the company signed a memorandum of understanding with German drone manufacturer Quantum Systems. It envisages production in Lithuania, but the drones will be delivered to a German brigade, and potentially to the Lithuanian armed forces.
ADV Defense CEO Dovydas Rupšys said the company estimates it can currently produce more than 50,000 drones or 300,000 electronic components for drones per month.
The priority is shorter supply chains and closer cooperation with NATO armies, especially on the eastern flank, where the risk of drone attacks is higher. The idea of a wider drone wall, put forward by Andrius Kubilius, the European Commission’s Lithuanian commissioner, did not receive widespread support. Some defense industry representatives suggested that the problem could also be the wording of the idea. Quantum Systems’ Paul Strobel said that when people hear the word “drone wall,” the first thing that comes to mind is drones that are constantly in the air, creating a barrier, but that is not the case.
The plan is to integrate the new technology into existing air defense systems.
Currently, air defense systems rely on fighter jets and Patriot missile systems, which are very reliable but also very expensive. Strobel added that the answer to how to shoot down drones cheaply has not yet been found.
The term wall of drones seems to have disappeared from European rhetoric, replaced by the idea of integrated air defense. The idea is more interesting for those countries that are directly involved in drone activities. Western countries, despite incidents with drones, have prioritized other areas. Even among the eastern flank countries, there is no consensus on the best way to combat drones.
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said that at the moment we cannot afford such a luxury as being skeptical about the project – it is simply necessary. Pevkur also emphasized that the situation is very different in peace and war. In peacetime, authorities cannot simply shoot down every unidentified object.
Lithuania, meanwhile, has recently been facing disruptions caused by weather balloons launched by Belarusian smugglers, which suggests solutions.
Analysts have pointed out that NATO countries are increasingly following a model similar to Ukraine, where much of the necessary armament is produced locally or in close cooperation with European partners. The changes have been caused not only by Russian aggression, but also by uncertainty about future military support from the United States.
Read the full article in English here: https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/2783368/drone-wall-gains-little-traction-in-europe-but-lithuania-looks-to-move-ahead
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