Doctoral Candidate Justinas Lingevičius Publishes Article on the Strategic Role of Drone Technologies in Baltic Security in the Prestigious Journal of Contemporary European Studies

A new article by Justinas Lingevičius, a doctoral candidate at the Institute of International Relations and Political Science of Vilnius University, titled “Frontiers of digital sovereignty: drones and military security in the Baltic States”, has been published in the high-profile Journal of Contemporary European Studies.

The article examines how approaches to drone technologies are being shaped in the Baltic States – Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia – and the role assigned to these technologies within discussions on military security. According to Lingevičius, following the large-scale Russian military invasion of Ukraine, attention to drone technologies has intensified both among the public and within political elites in the region: “Although these technologies have long been employed in other conflicts or in counter-terrorism, in the Baltic States they only began to be seen as instruments for securing national security after the outbreak of war in Ukraine – something to be quickly understood and integrated.”

In the context of European Union (EU) debates on digital sovereignty, the Baltic States are developing a distinct interpretation: while the EU level tends to emphasise long-term technological control and competitiveness, the Baltic discourses are shaped by a logic of military security – technologies are framed as urgent responses to threats and as part of efforts to bolster national defence capabilities. Thus, Ukraine’s experience holds significantly greater importance for the Baltic States than the EU’s broader digital sovereignty agenda, as it more directly reflects the response to perceived insecurity. This shift also alters the so-called centre–periphery dynamics: regional actions and a shared understanding of threats are far more relevant for the Baltic States than the Brussels perspective, which sees drones primarily as dual-use products enhancing industrial competitiveness.

The article identifies two core trends: the first concerns the presentation of drones as tools for strengthening military capabilities; the second involves the inclusion of broader segments of society. In this context, the local defence industry is expected to develop national drone capabilities, while the public is invited not only to contribute financially to drone procurement but also to participate in their development and operational deployment. “When decision-makers frame drones in this way, they do not engage in debates about the distinctions between different systems, required quantities for ensuring security, or limitations – they present drone technology as a breakthrough, promising that small states can independently enhance their security in the face of asymmetric threats,” the author claims.

At the same time, the article draws attention to rarely discussed dilemmas surrounding this technological transformation: “Drones and their increasing accessibility are blurring the conventional boundaries between civilians and combatants. As a result, the concepts of surveillance and targeting are evolving – they are no longer clearly defined within the battlefield and may instead follow remotely issued instructions, leading to more civilian casualties,” says Lingevičius. Hence, while these technologies are often presented as solutions for enhancing security and defence, it is crucial to consider the new challenges they pose – particularly those related to proliferation among various actors, accountability in decision-making, and the ambiguous nature of hybrid threats.

This research is of significance to both scholars and policymakers – it introduces small state perspectives into the EU’s digital sovereignty debate and encourages more open consideration not only of the benefits of technologies but also of the dilemmas they pose in a rapidly evolving security context. The article calls for a more considerate public discussion about the implications of trends and even hypes of military-related technologies where the lines between military and civilian life are increasingly blurred.