A NATO support team focused on combating hybrid threats has made a visit to Lithuania to assess and provide recommendations for improving the country's defense against aerial threats, particularly drones and balloons used for smuggling. The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the NATO team would present strategies to bolster air defense systems, including electronic warfare measures and tactics to counter information attacks. This initiative follows Lithuania's close collaboration with NATO to ensure effective responses to hybrid threats.

The country has faced particular challenges concerning smuggled balloons from Belarus, which have prompted the government to declare a state of emergency. Lithuanian officials view these balloon incursions as a hybrid attack from Belarus aimed at destabilizing Lithuania and have taken significant steps to counter this growing threat. The problem escalated last year, leading to multiple closures of Vilnius Airport due to sightings of these balloons, raising alarm about their potential use for surveillance or other malicious activities.

In light of these developments, the activation of the NATO support team is seen as a crucial step to enhance Lithuania's security posture. This visit underscores the importance of international support in dealing with hybrid warfare tactics and illustrates Lithuania's proactive approach to ensuring national security amidst rising tensions in the region. The collaboration with NATO not only aims to protect against immediate threats but also seeks to build a more resilient defense infrastructure moving forward.