Lithuania boosts funding for anti-smuggling balloon technology

Lithuania is boosting funding for anti-smuggling balloon technology, tripling the budget for a programme aimed at detecting and stopping weather balloons used to traffic cigarettes from Belarus. On July 9, the Economy and Innovation Ministry announced the increase from €1 million to €3 million, implemented through a pre-commercial procurement process. The initiative is organised jointly by the ministry, the State Border Guard Service, and the Innovation Agency. Economy Minister Edvinas Griksas said the added funding supports an advanced solution to strengthen Lithuania’s airspace protection and create opportunities for the defence and security technology ecosystem. Under the plan, three shortlisted participants will each receive €233,000 to design and demonstrate prototype systems in operational conditions, while the winning bidder will be awarded €2.3 million to build a pilot batch and complete validation. The competition is open to companies with relevant defence or security R&D experience, and systems must target balloons and also have potential against drones. Trials last year involved IT Logika, Teltonika, and Dangaus Sviesos at the Pabrade training area.