Baltic defence ministers call for urgent air defence and drone threat preparedness

Defence ministers from Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia have issued a joint statement urging immediate action to strengthen air defences and counter-drone capabilities, state broadcaster LRT reports.

In the declaration, the ministers emphasised that “words and statements will not protect us from drones,” stressing the need to pressure NATO and the EU for faster progress. “We must not forget that Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia are defending the EU’s borders and NATO’s eastern flank,” said Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, who initiated the appeal.

Recent incidents saw several unmanned aerial vehicles violate NATO airspace before exploding, causing no civilian casualties and only minimal infrastructure damage. While investigations continue, the ministers confirmed the drones belonged to Ukrainian forces and were part of defensive operations against Russia. These events, they argued, underscore the “urgent need to further strengthen preparedness and invest in defence capabilities.”

The Baltic states already allocate 5% of GDP to defence, prioritising air defence systems, drone and counter-drone solutions, and acoustic sensor deployment. However, the ministers insisted NATO must accelerate efforts to bolster air defences, including anti-drone measures. “Allies must urgently enhance detection and interception capabilities,” the statement read, calling for sustained and expanded NATO air presence in the region to deter aerial threats, including drones.

This week alone saw multiple incidents: a drone exploded in Lithuania’s Varėna district on Monday night, while another struck an Estonian power plant chimney after reportedly drifting from Russia. Latvian authorities also reported a drone explosion in their airspace. Estonian and Latvian officials suggested both drones were likely Ukrainian.