**EU Rejects Funding for Lithuanian-Estonian “Drone Wall” Project**
In a move that has left officials in Lithuania and Estonia wondering, the European Union (EU) has declined to fund a joint project aimed at enhancing surveillance and protection along their shared eastern frontiers. The proposal, which was first floated back in May 2023 by then-Lithuanian Interior Minister Agnė Bilotaitė, sought to create a coordinated system to detect, track, and neutralize drones along the borders with Russia and Belarus.
The project, which had gained support from several regional partners including Estonia, Latvia, Poland, Norway, and Finland, aimed to use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), anti-drone systems, and real-time data sharing between agencies to bolster security. Despite its rejection by the EU, Lithuanian officials remain optimistic that the plan can still come to fruition.
**A Costly Rejection**
The total project cost was estimated at 12 million euros, with significant sums allocated to each participating country. However, despite this substantial investment, the EU ultimately decided not to provide funding for the “drone wall” initiative. While Lithuania’s State Border Guard Service (VSAT) Commander Rustamas Liubajevas downplayed the significance of the rejection, suggesting that alternative funding sources could be explored, other officials remained more subdued.
**Cross-Border Coordination Continues**
Despite the EU’s refusal to fund the project, cross-border coordination between Lithuania and Estonia continues through existing channels. Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovič suggested that reapplying for EU funding remains an option, though this time around it would likely face stiff competition from other regional proposals.
**Contextualizing the Rejection**
It’s worth noting that the EU has already allocated funds to Lithuania for UAV purchases and anti-drone systems. This suggests that while the “drone wall” project itself was rejected, Brussels is still willing to support drone-related efforts in the region.
The proposed system aimed to improve real-time data sharing between border agencies and test pilot deployments along selected sections. However, its rejection highlights ongoing tensions within the EU over defense spending and priorities.
**A Growing Concern: Hybrid Threats**
In a broader context, Lithuania’s proposal for a “drone wall” reflects growing concerns across Europe about hybrid threats allegedly employed by Moscow. Western intelligence agencies have reported increased Russian sabotage activity and other destabilizing actions, prompting regional partners to call for strengthened border defenses.
As tensions between Russia and the West continue to escalate, it remains to be seen whether alternative funding sources will come to the rescue of this ambitious project. One thing is certain: the need for enhanced security measures along Europe’s eastern borders has never been more pressing.
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