Latvia to Deploy Anti-Drone Systems Along Russia Border by September
By: WNEWS247 Editorial Staff
Published: July 23, 2026
RIGA, Latvia — Latvia expects to have automated anti-drone systems covering its entire eastern border with Russia by the end of September, Defense Minister Raivis Melnis said on July 21, as the Baltic nation continues to strengthen border security.
Speaking on Latvian Television’s Morning Panorama program, Melnis said the goal is to monitor and protect the border using automated technology, allowing the system to operate remotely with only a limited number of personnel.
“We want to have the entire border covered automatically, so that we work remotely with a very small number of soldiers involved in this task,” Melnis said.
Latvia plans to complete automated anti-drone coverage along its eastern border with Russia by the end of September, 2026, officials say.
The defense minister said the project is nearing completion but still requires additional radar systems and command-and-control equipment before it becomes fully operational. Latvia is negotiating with a foreign supplier for the remaining radar components, although he did not identify the country involved.
Once installed, the new radar systems will be integrated into Latvia’s broader air defense network, improving the military’s ability to detect, track and respond to unmanned aerial vehicles along the country’s eastern frontier.
Automated monitoring to reduce manpower
Melnis said the new system is designed to provide continuous surveillance of the border while reducing the need for troops to monitor the area in person. Automated detection and response capabilities are expected to improve reaction times and strengthen protection against unauthorized drone activity.
The project forms part of Latvia’s broader effort to modernize its border security and adapt to the growing use of drones in the region.
Part of broader defense modernization
Latvia, a NATO member that shares a border with Russia and Belarus, has increased investment in defense and surveillance technologies in recent years. Like many European countries, it has accelerated efforts to strengthen air defense and counter-drone capabilities as unmanned aircraft become an increasingly common feature of modern security challenges.
Melnis said ground-based counter-drone systems will serve as the first layer of defense, while NATO’s Baltic Air Policing mission will continue to provide additional air security when required. The multinational mission conducts round-the-clock patrols over the airspace of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.
No timetable has been announced for completing the remaining radar procurement, but Latvian officials say they remain on track to achieve full automated coverage of the eastern border before the end of September.
