Lithuania Seeks NATO Support to Enhance Air Defenses After Drone Incursions

Lithuania has formally requested NATO assistance to bolster its air defense systems after two military drones entered its airspace from Belarus in July.

Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys and Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė sent a letter to NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, emphasizing the need for the alliance to demonstrate readiness to protect all its territory.

"This must not be only Lithuania's responsibility, because we are defending the eastern NATO flank," Budrys stated.

NATO responded by stating it is monitoring the situation, with the Supreme Allied Commander Europe authorized to take necessary actions, and noted ongoing efforts to improve counter-drone capabilities among member states.

The most recent incident occurred on July 28, when a drone suspected to have been targeting Ukraine entered Lithuanian airspace, possibly diverted by Ukrainian defenses. The drone crashed in a military training area approximately 100 kilometers from the Belarusian border and contained 2 kilograms of explosives.

Defense Minister Šakalienė identified the drone as a Gerbera model, a wooden replica of the Iranian-designed Shahed drone, known to be used by the Russian military.

Another similar drone entered Lithuania from Belarus on July 10, causing temporary evacuations of top officials before it was deemed non-threatening.

These incidents have raised concerns about the security of NATO's eastern flank, prompting Lithuania to seek enhanced air defense support from the alliance.