US Army deploys mobile anti-drone groups in Lithuania modeled after Ukraine
Kyiv • UNN
The US military has deployed mobile air defense groups based on HMMWV vehicles in Lithuania. This anti-drone tactic was adopted from Ukraine's successful experience.
The US Army has begun using mobile fire groups in Lithuania to combat drones, modeled after Ukrainian units used in the war against the Russian Federation. This was reported by Defence Blog, according to UNN.
Details
On May 9, soldiers of the 5th Battalion, 4th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Brigade of the US Army conducted live-fire exercises near Baltadvaris, Lithuania, using new mobile platforms.
These are modernized HMMWV vehicles equipped with CROW remote-controlled weapon stations. Such vehicles can destroy drones while in motion and operate in areas where stationary air defense systems have limited coverage.
Ukraine's Experience
Defense Blog notes that the concept of mobile fire groups was effectively borrowed from Ukraine's experience. Since 2023, Ukrainian forces have been actively using similar mobile units equipped with heavy machine guns and anti-aircraft guns to intercept Shahed-type drones.
The deployment of American groups is taking place within the framework of the NATO Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. Lithuania is considered one of the key directions due to its proximity to the Kaliningrad region of the Russian Federation and the Suwalki Gap.
According to the publication, the war in Ukraine has forced NATO countries to reconsider approaches to countering cheap strike drones, and mobile fire groups have become one of the most effective solutions for protection against such attacks.