Baltic countries, Norway, Finland, and Poland are gearing up to build a "wall of drones" along their border with Russia, as revealed by Lithuania's Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė during a recent meeting with her counterparts.
A New Era of Border Security
“This is a completely new concept—a wall of drones stretching from Norway to Poland. Our goal is to use drones and other technologies to protect our borders. Not only with physical infrastructure and surveillance systems but also with drones and other technologies that will allow us to defend against provocations from unfriendly countries and prevent smuggling,” Bilotaitė told BNS.
Under this initiative, participating nations will deploy drones for border surveillance and establish systems to counter hostile drones.
Lithuania, already proactive in this area, has created a special unit within its State Border Guard Service dedicated to using unmanned aerial vehicles.
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Strengthening the Defenses
“As a country, we have done a lot in this direction. Other countries may need to invest more and prepare,” Bilotaitė emphasized, noting that Lithuania plans to purchase more drones and anti-drone systems.
However, the timeline for the full implementation of the "drone wall" remains uncertain.
“Today, we agreed on this idea; the next step is a plan with concrete actions. The exact timeline for starting this project is not yet determined,” she added. Bilotaitė suggested that the European Union might fund the project.
“If we agree on joint solutions, we can apply for European funds. If we present the need as a region, there is a high chance that we will receive financing from the European Commission,” she concluded.
A Broader Defensive Strategy
In February, The Times reported that the Baltic states would construct over 1,000 concrete bunkers along their borders with Russia and Belarus.
This "Baltic Defense Line" will include anti-tank mines, trenches, barbed wire, and so-called dragon’s teeth—pyramid-shaped anti-tank obstacles made of concrete or reinforced concrete. Ammunition depots will also be set up near the borders. Construction is set to begin in January of next year.
In 2024, military officials from at least 10 NATO countries acknowledged that potential Russian aggression against alliance members is a realistic threat in the near future.
Poland's Defense Minister noted that the republic does not rule out an attack by Russia after the war in Ukraine ends.
In response, Poland's Ministry of Defense has taken concrete steps to address this threat, including signing contracts for arms worth over 4 billion euros, primarily with Polish defense companies.
