After the decision on the development of drones, K. Budrys urges not to oppose military acquisitions

This is how he spoke to some observers who claimed that the lessons of the war in Ukraine prove the greater importance of drones in military conflicts.

“We should no longer continue the discussion that we are making drones instead of something, we will no longer develop something, we will no longer buy armored vehicles, we no longer need tanks, we are giving up the division and the like,” K. Budrys told Žinių radio on Tuesday.

“No, it won’t. Drones are an enabler, whether it’s in terms of reconnaissance or in terms of destroying armored vehicles, (…) but they’re not a substitute for something,” he added.

VGT decided on Monday that the drone capacity in the Lithuanian army should be ready to operate by 2027.

This will require the acquisition of drones of various sizes and functions that can operate both in the air, on water and on land.

“This is ambitious enough both for the numbers and the requirements (capacity – BNS) that are being raised,” said K. Budrys.

Both the President and the National Security and Defense Committee of the Seimas, headed by the appointed Minister of National Defense, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, have previously criticized the army and the Ministry of National Defense for insufficient attention to drones.

Some Lithuanian politicians began to pay more attention to drones as the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues, where both sides use these drones for various tasks, from reconnaissance to destroying enemy targets.

For their part, military development officers say drones can be used for reconnaissance and support, but overstating their capabilities on the battlefield could divert politicians’ attention from other important purchases, such as tanks. Lithuania needs to acquire more armored vehicles in order to create a division in the army.

K. Budrys said that when developing the drone capability, the integration of drones with other systems will be especially important, for example, ensuring the interaction of reconnaissance drones with artillery or the interaction of combat drones with battle management systems.

“The smaller those drones are, the more they are needed – from thousands to units,” said President Gitana Nausėda’s chief adviser on national security.

According to him, the business should receive an invitation from the state authorities regarding long-term drone acquisition programs.

According to K. Budris, it will be aimed that the production of purchased drones takes place on the territory of Lithuania, in order to shorten supply chains, to ensure self-sufficiency in case of war, if the borders of the states are closed.

Until now, the army has been developing drone capabilities according to the concept approved in 2017.