Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defense announced on Wednesday that it is acquiring the Merops AS-3 Surveyor counter-drone system from U.S. Manufacturer Perennial Autonomy, including 48 interceptor drones, as part of an accelerated procurement process approved by the Lithuanian Government.
The system is designed to detect, track, and neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles using integrated radar, electro-optical sensors, and kinetic interceptors. Perennial Autonomy confirmed the contract covers delivery of ground control stations, sensor suites, and the interceptor drones, which are launched from mobile launchers to engage threats in low-altitude airspace.
Lithuanian officials stated the acquisition responds to heightened security concerns along NATO’s eastern flank, particularly following increased reconnaissance drone activity observed near Baltic airspace in recent months. The Ministry emphasized that the system will be integrated into existing air defense units under the Lithuanian Air Force.
Perennial Autonomy, based in Virginia, specializes in autonomous counter-UAS solutions and has previously supplied similar systems to U.S. Special Operations Command and allied European nations. The Merops AS-3 Surveyor is marketed as a rapidly deployable, networked system capable of operating in contested electromagnetic environments.
The procurement falls under Lithuania’s 2024 defense budget amendment, which allocated additional funds for short-range air defense capabilities following a parliamentary review of vulnerabilities exposed during NATO exercise Steadfast Defender 2024. Lithuanian defense planners cited the demand for layered defense against swarm-capable drones as a key factor in accelerating the purchase.
Perennial Autonomy’s vice president for international sales noted in a company statement that the Lithuanian contract includes training for operators and maintenance personnel, with initial fielding expected by the fourth quarter of 2024. The company did not disclose the financial value of the agreement.
Lithuania’s Minister of National Defense did not respond to requests for further comment on operational deployment timelines or specific threat scenarios driving the acquisition. The Lithuanian Armed Forces General Staff confirmed receipt of the first system components is scheduled for late September, pending final export licensing approvals from the U.S. State Department.
NATO’s Joint Air Power Competence Centre has previously assessed that Baltic states face growing risks from hybrid drone use, including surveillance, electronic warfare, and potential weaponization, though no direct attacks have been recorded in Lithuanian territory to date.
The Ministry stated that additional evaluations of counter-drone systems are ongoing, with potential future procurements under consideration to address gaps in medium-altitude detection and engagement capabilities.
