More than 60% of the “SkyWiper-SOLO“ anti-drones purchased through the RADAROM2024 campaign have now been handed over to the Ukrainian Defence Forces and the rest will be delivered to them in the near future. “Egidijus Šilanskas, CEO of NT Service, the Kaunas-based company that manufactures “SkyWiper“ technology, says that the feedback is encouraging – hundreds of enemy drones have been deactivated, which means that hundreds of soldiers’, paramedics’, and other personnel’s lives have been saved as a result of the funds raised during the action.
“SkyWiper“ technology makes it possible to clear the airspace of enemy drones. The system has been developed based on experience gained in real military conflicts and is constantly being improved. The “SkyWiper“ series of electronic warfare equipment manufactured by NT Service is currently in use in more than 15 countries around the world, including the Lithuanian Armed Forces and institutions. There has been and continues to be a great need in Ukraine, which was partly met by the Lithuanian public, which joined the RADAROM campaign carried out by public organisations.
According to E. Šilanskas, Lithuanian defence industry products are finding their niche in the procurement of NATO countries and institutions. According to the NATO Supply and Logistics Agency (NSPA) and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA), the participation of Lithuanian companies in the projects and procurements of these agencies has been growing in recent years.
“Technology in the defence industry must remain a priority for all innovative Lithuanian companies. Back in 2015, when commercial drones became available to everyone and it was predicted that the drone market would double by 2020, “NT Service” started to develop electronic combat tools for public order and border protection services, the military. During this period, not only the technology but also its application has evolved. At the 2019-2020 exhibitions, NATO military representatives doubted the existence of threats and cited drone technology as a low priority. The Russian-led war in Ukraine has shown the exact opposite, with drones becoming one of the most important elements of intelligence and offensive weaponry.
Experts predict that the influence of drones in future warfare will only grow, especially with advances in remote communications, autonomous mission execution and swarm technology. There will be a growing need to ensure the protection of military units, critical infrastructure of the state and, of course, the public from drones,” reveals E. Šilanskas.
“NT Service“ has been working for more than 25 years in the field of engineering solutions for the telecommunications, civil protection and defence industries. The company was one of the first to bring an efficient wireless telephony solution to the rapidly expanding suburbs of Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipėda. The systems installed allowed not only telephone calls to be transmitted, but also the Internet access, which was already gaining popularity at the time. Later, in the field of civil protection, we were the first in Europe to introduce the sending of Civil Protection Alert messages to mobile phones – in 2012, only Lithuania and the Netherlands had such systems in place. In defence, NT Service was the first in the region to see the need for electronic warfare systems against drones and to apply wireless telecommunications expertise to innovative solutions.
Seeing such a rapid breakthrough in technology, the company is not only innovating and advancing science, it is also working to promote science. In 2024, “NT Service“ became a patron of the Energy and Technology Museum and, together with its partners, opened the interactive exhibition “November. Alpha. Tango. Oscar.” The exhibition shows how NATO is changing its structures and strategies to adapt to the changing international security landscape. Lithuania, a small country in terms of area and population, contributes to the alliance with its high-tech development and leading intellectual resources. The exhibition consists of four interactive simulators – a parachute, drone suppression, communication assurance and firing simulator – and dozens of vintage and modern military industry exhibits.
The exhibition will be open until 31st of December. At the Energy and Technology Museum.