The procurement process is underway and must follow legal requirements, Benkunskas told reporters, adding that “we will be able to announce the first contracts this year.”
The initiative follows a cooperation agreement signed last November between the Vilnius city municipality and the Public Security Service (VST) to strengthen protection of strategic sites and airspace against drone threats. The sites include the power plant, heating, water and waste management facilities.
The city plans to develop anti-drone capabilities in cooperation with VST, according to the mayor.
Benkunskas also said he had received no information from security services indicating a fundamental change in the threat level, but acknowledged authorities were warning of possible increased risks.
“We are being informed about a possible greater threat as any other authorities,” he added.
Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas told media in early August military intelligence had information that Russia was considering attacks on critical infrastructure in the Baltic region using Ukrainian-made drones as part of a false-flag operation.
He said protection of critical infrastructure had been stepped up in late July for an indefinite period, while the military and other security agencies continued to monitor and assess the situation.
The sites under increased protection include Lithuania’s liquefied natural gas terminal in Klaipėda, the LitPol Link electricity connection with Poland, a transformer substation in Alytus district and the Kruonis pumped-storage hydroelectric plant.
The Baltic States and Finland have reported several airspace violations in recent months as Russian forces have diverted Ukrainian drones from their course.
Meanwhile, Moscow has accused Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia of allowing their territory to be used for Ukrainian military operations as Kyiv continues drone strikes deep into Russia.