Latvia to deploy mobile drone interceptor units to Russian border within days

RIGA, Latvia — Latvia will deploy mobile drone-interceptor units to its eastern border within days, following a series of drone incursions from the direction of Russia, according to the head of the Baltic country's Autonomous Systems Competence Center.

Deployment Details

Maj. Modris Kairišs, head of the center, announced in a briefing on May 26 that the Latvian armed forces will deploy teams of up to four soldiers in 4x4 vehicles, equipped with interceptor drones from Latvian manufacturers Origin Robotics and Eraser. The units are expected to be operational by early next month.

"The force teams we plan to deploy to the border in the coming days will be equipped with local interceptor drones," Kairišs said, adding that the number of teams to be deployed is confidential.

Growing Drone Threat

Low-altitude drone defense has become a critical security gap for Latvia and neighboring Lithuania and Estonia, as the number of drone incursions from Russia increases. Independent Russian media outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe reported at least 24 drone incidents across the three Baltic states since early 2025.

Recent Incidents and Political Fallout

Latvia's government collapsed this month following a renewed incursion of Ukrainian drones into the country's airspace. On May 7, two drones crashed in Latvian territory, including one that struck an empty fuel depot, while a third drone entered the country's airspace before departing.

Kairišs stated that Russia is using "very powerful" jamming to disrupt the navigation of Ukrainian drones.

Initial Capability and Future Vision

"At least if we will send these initial teams, it will solve the society requirements, politicians' requirements, and we are moving forward," Kairišs told Defense News. "Let's say it is initial capability. We need a lot of teams to fully cover the border."

Kairišs emphasized that interceptor teams are not a long-term solution. He envisions a future system of fully automatic interceptor drones stationed along the border in launch canisters, "where you can, from the command and control center, just give the command to intercept." Latvia is currently testing what he called "launch-box technologies."

"This is where Western countries need to move, because our human resource is very expensive," Kairišs said.

Personnel and Resource Challenges

With Latvia's eastern border with Russia and Belarus spanning nearly 400 kilometers, achieving Ukrainian-style drone protection would require "a huge number" of personnel and place significant strain on the armed forces. Kairišs said Latvia needs to "find a balance between peacetime and war."

Ukrainian Expertise

Latvia is seeking assistance from Ukrainian experts for tactical advice and practical operator experience on drone interception, according to Kairišs. He noted that Latvia is pursuing Ukrainian expertise rather than hardware, particularly regarding tactical procedures related to the kill chain and sensors.

NATO Challenges

Kairišs identified "a legacy way of thinking" around command and control as one of NATO's biggest challenges in addressing drone threats. Current procedures, where all sensor data is fused and information classified, disrupt effective command and control at the tactical level when delivering that information to mobile groups operating near the border.

He called for a cross-border solution for drone interception that allows command and control at a "very low classification level." With multiple NATO countries developing their own C2 systems for drone defense, Kairišs stressed the need for interoperability efforts.