Drone detection system for Riga Airport might cost around EUR 5 million - Transport Ministry

RIGA - A drone detection system for Riga Airport is expected to cost an estimated EUR 5 million, LETA was told at the Transport Ministry.

The ministry informed that Riga Airport will launch a call for tender to procure drone detection equipment that will enable a real-time detection and monitoring of unauthorized drone flights and a response to illegal activity.

The procurement object is classified information, so the details of the procurement will not be publicly disclosed, the Transport Ministry added.

The estimated cost of the detection system is EUR 5 million, so investment is being sought from the ministry's budget, but funding from the government budget will be requested as well, the ministry said.

The Transport Ministry of has prepared proposals to improve the protection of critical infrastructure against unauthorized flights of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and sent a letter to Prime Minister Evika Silina (New Unity).

As reported, short-term restrictions were imposed three times in Latvian airspace on January 13. All of them were related to detected flights of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over Riga Airport, which posed a significant threat to the flights of civil aircraft. According to the agency's information, multiple drones were flown over the airport.

Information obtained the CAA indicates that the drone flights may have been carried out deliberately with the aim of endangering the flight safety of civil aviation aircraft or deliberately disrupting the Latvian civil aviation industry.

The State Police launched a criminal procedure to investigate the illegal drone flights over Riga Airport.