Spain has deployed its Crow counter-UAS system to Lithuania to support the detection, surveillance and neutralisation of drones posing potential threats to military units and infrastructure. The deployment is intended to strengthen air defence and protection measures on NATO’s eastern flank.
“The consistent decisions Spain makes to advance air defence in the Baltic region is a clear demonstration of political will and NATO’s collective defence commitment,” said Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas. He added, “Such steps taken by the Allies strengthen deterrence, send an unmistakable signal of Alliance unity, and are crucial for the security of Lithuania and the entire eastern flank.”
The systems deployed at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai are operated by the “Lobo” Tactical Unit of the Spanish Air and Space Force, with a nine-person team conducting constant monitoring of designated airspace. Their mission is to protect the eastern NATO border against unidentified drones and balloons.
The Crow system combines radars, surveillance cameras, sensors and electronic warfare devices to act as a protective shield over critical infrastructure, airports and military units. Spain is also leading the 70th NATO Air Policing Mission in Lithuania, with Spanish Air Force F-18 jets operating from the Šiauliai Airbase in support of the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model.
According to Indra, Crow is a flexible and scalable counter-Unmanned Aerial System designed to detect, track, identify and neutralise a wide range of drone threats. The company states that the system is interoperable with NATO standards and can be deployed in fixed, mobile or portable configurations to protect military bases and other critical sites.