Lithuania steps up drone warfare training amid US troop redeployment in Europe

Lithuania is accelerating its military preparedness with large-scale drone warfare exercises as the US reduces its troop presence in Europe, raising concerns in Vilnius over regional security, reports LRT.

The US has halted the rotation of 4,000 troops in Poland and withdrawn 5,000 soldiers from Germany, shifting responsibility for European security back to NATO allies. Against this backdrop, Lithuania’s Iron Wolf 2026 drills—its largest annual military exercise—have placed unprecedented emphasis on drone integration for both offensive and defensive operations.

This year’s drills mark a shift from traditional warfare training, with the Iron Wolf brigade deploying a wide array of drones, including first-person-view (FPV) attack drones and long-range reconnaissance systems. Colonel Darius Meilūnas, commander of the brigade, noted that while drones were previously used primarily for surveillance, their role has expanded to include strike capabilities. “Every new technology takes time to integrate,” he said.

The exercises, largely led by Lithuanian forces with limited British and Polish participation, simulated scenarios such as territorial recapture, defensive tactics, and protection against drone threats. Ukrainian battlefield experience has demonstrated drones’ dominance in modern combat, prompting Lithuania to adapt its strategies.

Local defense industry players, including Granta Autonomy, showcased domestically developed systems like the X-wing—a “flying firearm” designed to locate and neutralize targets in coordination with reconnaissance drones. Gediminas Guoba, the company’s director, called the opportunity to test such concepts in Lithuania a significant milestone.

General Raimundas Vaikšnoras, Lithuania’s chief of defense, confirmed plans to expand drone capabilities across all branches of the military, including long-range systems (50–100 km) for deep-strike missions against strategic enemy assets. However, bureaucratic hurdles and funding constraints remain key challenges.

The drills also served as a training ground for Lithuania’s Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Battalion, which practiced drone and electronic warfare tactics ahead of its own upcoming exercises. “This is a chance for our units to see how these technologies work in the field and how to exploit them effectively,” said Lieutenant Colonel Antanas Survilas, the battalion’s commander.

Critics have long argued that NATO’s preparation for “yesterday’s wars” left gaps in modern drone warfare—an issue Lithuania’s latest exercises appear to address. With uncertainty looming over NATO’s long-term strategy, Baltic states are increasingly investing in self-reliant defense measures, both independently and through regional cooperation, such as recent joint drills with Poland to secure the Suwałki Corridor.