Lithuania Acquires US Merops Interceptors Amid Rising Drone Threats

• •Lithuania purchased 48 Merops interceptors to strengthen air defense against drones.
• •The acquisition bypassed standard procurement to address urgent national security needs.
• •Merops interceptors have been successfully tested in combat, particularly against Iranian drones.

On April 22, 2026, Lithuania purchased 48 Merops interceptors from Perennial Autonomy to enhance its air defense capabilities against drone threats. The decision to bypass standard procurement procedures was made to expedite the acquisition, citing urgent national security needs due to recent incursions by Russian and Ukrainian drones. The Merops system, which includes non-lethal UAVs, has been tested in combat and is designed to intercept aerial threats like the Iranian Shahed drones. This pilot batch includes 24 units with thermal seekers and 24 with radio-frequency seekers, along with training and integration services. The Lithuanian Defense Minister emphasized that the system's proven effectiveness in Ukraine justified the purchase without competitive bidding. The acquisition aims to rapidly assess the technology's integration into Lithuania's airspace defense system. The move reflects a broader trend among NATO countries to bolster defenses against low-cost drone threats.