Indra Counter Drone System Protecting Spanish NATO Mission in Lithuania Attracts Growing Interest from European Allies

Indra Counter Drone System Protecting Spanish NATO Mission in Lithuania Attracts Growing Interest from European Allies

(IN BRIEF) Indra’s counter-drone defense system currently protecting Spanish Armed Forces personnel deployed in Lithuania under NATO operations is attracting growing interest from European countries seeking to strengthen their air defense capabilities. The system provides a protective surveillance perimeter for the Vilkas Tactical Air Detachment, which includes Spanish military personnel and aircraft operating in the region. Designed to detect and respond to threats from unmanned aerial systems, the technology integrates multiple sensors, electronic warfare tools and response mechanisms through an advanced command-and-control platform. Delegations from several Northern and Eastern European countries have visited the deployment site to observe the system’s capabilities. The interest comes as the European Union prepares to develop a large counter-drone defense network across its eastern borders, highlighting the growing importance of integrated air defense technologies.

(PRESS RELEASE) MADRID, 17-Mar-2026 — /EuropaWire/ — Indra has deployed an advanced counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) to protect the Spanish Armed Forces contingent stationed in Lithuania as part of NATO operations. The system, which provides surveillance and protection against drone threats, is drawing increasing attention from countries across Northern and Eastern Europe interested in evaluating its capabilities and operational performance.

The technology is currently safeguarding the Vilkas Tactical Air Detachment, a mission that includes nearly 200 military personnel, 11 F-18 fighter aircraft and an A400M tanker aircraft. The deployment has been reinforced following a decision by Spanish Ministry of Defence to strengthen protection against the growing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems and unidentified aerial objects originating from nearby regions.

Indra’s system creates a protective surveillance perimeter over the operational area, helping detect and respond to potential aerial threats. The solution is part of the ongoing ARACNE Project, which Indra is developing in collaboration with EM&E Group.

In recent weeks, several official delegations from regional partner countries, including Lithuania, have visited the system’s deployment site to observe its operation and exchange insights with the Spanish military personnel responsible for operating the equipment. Indra engineers stationed with the contingent have supported these visits by providing technical briefings and demonstrations.

The interest in the system coincides with broader efforts across Europe to strengthen air defense capabilities. The European Union has announced plans to build a large-scale counter-drone defense network, often referred to as a “drone wall,” covering more than 3,000 kilometers along the EU’s eastern border.

A key feature of Indra’s solution is its advanced command-and-control architecture, which can integrate a wide range of sensors, detection systems, effectors and control platforms regardless of their manufacturer. This capability enables the system to coordinate different technologies within a single operational framework, supporting more effective threat detection and response.

Developing effective counter-drone systems requires combining multiple advanced technologies, including electro-optical sensors, electronic warfare capabilities, communications systems, artificial intelligence and both soft- and hard-kill response mechanisms. Indra has built extensive expertise in integrating these technologies into operational defense platforms.

The counter-UAS system deployed in Lithuania is designed to operate reliably in demanding environmental conditions and has already demonstrated effectiveness in other operational contexts. It has previously been used during European Union missions in Mali and in civilian security operations, including the security framework for the 2022 NATO Madrid Summit and the presidential inauguration process in Chile.

About Indra

Indra is a leading Spanish multinational and one of the foremost global defence, air traffic and space companies that, through technology, protects our current way of life and anticipates the needs of the future. Its committed team of experts, its in-depth knowledge of the business and the latest technologies, and its unique innovation and systems integration capabilities make it the trusted technology partner for key operations and digitalization for its customers around the world. Thanks to its leadership in major European programs and projects, as well as its spirit of collaboration and partnership strategy, it drives the industrial and innovative ecosystem in these sectors. The company is part of Indra Group, which posted revenues of € 5.457 billion in the 2025 fiscal year, with a local presence in 46 countries and business operations in over 140 countries.

Media Contact:

Antonio Tovar
atovar@indra.es
+34 683 667 916

SOURCE: Indra