Lithuania’s military chief acknowledges slow progress in drone defence but says plans are in place

Lithuania’s armed forces must accept that strengthening air defence—including counter-drone capabilities—will not happen as quickly as desired, the country’s top military commander said in a televised forum on Sunday.

Speaking on LRT Television’s LRT Forum, Chief of Defence Gen. Raimundas Vaikšnoras acknowledged that while last week’s drone incidents demonstrated Lithuania’s alert systems functioned, broader air defence requires sustained investment. He stressed the need to balance funding across all defence priorities, noting that threats evolve beyond drones alone.

“Some processes aren’t as fast as we’d like, and we have to accept that for now,” Vaikšnoras said, referencing ongoing upgrades to radar systems and other capabilities. He confirmed that a €500 million air defence modernisation plan, approved in prior years to address critical gaps, remains on track but faces inevitable delays.

Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas, also appearing on the programme, said new radar equipment—including passive systems—has already arrived in Lithuania and is undergoing installation. He described air defence as the “second-highest funding priority” after the army’s brigade-level expansion, while emphasising NATO’s role in providing critical coverage via allied fighter patrols over the Baltics.

Vaikšnoras outlined a three-step framework for countering aerial threats: detection, identification, and neutralisation. He cautioned that full territorial protection against all intrusions—from drones to hybrid sabotage—would require “unrealistic” resources. Instead, Lithuania’s strategy focuses on shielding key military assets first, then expanding coverage as funding allows.

Both officials underscored that hybrid warfare extends beyond drones, pointing to recent incidents like underwater cable cuts in the Baltic Sea. “We need naval forces, ground troops—it’s all interconnected,” Vaikšnoras said, adding that current funding levels, if maintained, will “plug the gaps and gradually strengthen” capabilities.

Kaunas noted that while civilian safety remains the priority, no country possesses a flawless air defence system. He hinted at classified discussions with NATO partners on further enhancements but declined to provide details.