Lithuania debates compensation for damage caused by downed drones

Lithuania’s Seimas (parliament) has begun considering legislation that would require the state to compensate for damage caused by the lawful use of military force by the Lithuanian armed forces or NATO allies.

The bill is designed to address situations in which foreign military drones entering Lithuanian airspace are shot down, and their debris causes damage to property on the ground, Caliber.Az reports, citing Lithuanian media.

“If there is a need to eliminate a threat, meaning to shoot down a hostile drone in Lithuanian airspace, in some cases, we will not be able to avoid material consequences on the ground. Drone debris may fall and cause additional damage to civilian infrastructure,” Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas told lawmakers during a parliamentary session.

He added that the proposed legislation would establish a legal framework for compensating losses resulting from such incidents.

According to Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence, which drafted the bill, the amendments are intended to create a clear compensation mechanism for cases in which military force is used to neutralise threats to national security.

Depending on the amount of compensation and the state's financial capacity, payments could be spread over up to 10 years.

The bill received unanimous backing following its presentation in parliament. After committee review, it is scheduled to return to the plenary chamber on June 23.

The proposal would also broaden the military’s authority to use force against airborne objects. Under the draft legislation, military force could be employed not only against unmanned aerial vehicles but also against other remotely controlled or autonomous airborne objects.

The Baltic states have recently seen a rise in airspace violations, and concerns over potential drone threats prompted authorities to issue air raid alerts twice in parts of Lithuania in late May.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov