Lithuanian defence minister Dovilė Šakalienė announced on Tuesday, September 23rd, that the country has eased its rules to make it simpler to order the military to down drones entering its airspace unlawfully.
Šakalienė told parliament
Even though we live de jure in peacetime, our laws … were not adapted to current threats.
Starting on October 1st, Šakalienė said she or another “authorised person” will be able to order the downing of drones flying in restricted or closed airspace. The goal is “a mechanism that allows us to react instantly” with military means to any breaches of the country’s airspace, she said.
Lithuania introduced the changes after two drones, of a model used by Russia in Ukraine, breached its airspace from Belarus in July—with one found to be carrying explosives.
