Lithuania Procures Counter-UAS Defence from Poland

Interestingly, the system is being purchased by the Ministry of Defence but at the request of energy companies and funded by them. However, Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė has stated that, in the event of aggression against Lithuania, the armed forces will assume operation of the systems and integrate them into the overall air defence network.

The minister emphasized the importance of C-UAS systems in protecting critical infrastructure and addressing the proliferation of unmanned aerial systems. The counter-UAS measures will also be integrated with the command and electronic reconnaissance system.  

The system being developed by the Lithuanians to counter drones will include radars, passive electronic reconnaissance systems, and optical and optoelectronic sensors. To combat drones, communications and GPS jamming means will be used, as well as kinetic systems.

Three bids were considered in the procurement process, and the proposal from the Polish company Advanced Protection Systems (APS) SA was chosen as meeting all requirements. APS, based in Gdynia, supplies the SKYCtrl counter-drone systems and FIELDCtrl radars for detection. The SKYCtrl system is in use in Poland, Ukraine, and many countries in Europe and the Middle East. Various configurations are available, including integrated setups with a 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon and APS-produced interceptor drones. It is not yet known which exact configuration Lithuania will choose, but the contract is expected to be signed soon.