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Lithuanian Drone Unit Deploys Ukrainian Chuyka Detectors in NATO Defense Drills
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Members of Lithuania’s specialized 1031st Drone Company (named after Antanas Gustaitis) have begun integrating Ukrainian-made “Chuyka” drone detectors into their tactical training, Militarnyi reported on April 4.
The unit, which operates under the Lithuanian Riflemen’s Union and coordinates closely with the country’s Ministry of Defense, recently showcased the technology during field exercises aimed at preparing for high-intensity aerial threats.
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The Chuyka 3.0 is a portable, NATO-codified drone detector developed by the Ukrainian company BlueBird Tech to counter FPV threats. Unlike passive acoustic sensors, it acts as an electronic reconnaissance tool that intercepts analog video signals, allowing soldiers to view the enemy drone’s live feed in real-time.
It features a detection range of up to 4 kilometers and can scan three critical frequency bands (1.2 GHz, 3.3 GHz, and 5.8 GHz) in just 4 to 8 seconds, providing an early warning system that is essential for situational awareness on the modern battlefield.
The unit emphasized that their goal is to move beyond theory and implement the practical lessons currently being learned on the battlefields of Ukraine. “It’s about how quickly you detect, how accurately you transmit information, and how effectively you strike,” the unit stated in a social media briefing.
Despite the high-profile use of the devices in Lithuania, BlueBird Tech—the Ukrainian manufacturer of the Chuyka 3.0—clarified to Militarnyi that as of April 3, 2026, they have no formal export contracts with the Lithuanian government.
Co-founder Valerii Zarubin noted that the company’s absolute priority remains the Ukrainian Armed Forces. “We work primarily to ensure the needs of the Ukrainian army are covered first and in full,” Zarubin stated, suggesting the devices likely reached Lithuania through informal volunteer networks or direct military-to-military cooperation between partners.
The adoption of Ukrainian detection tech comes at a critical time for Vilnius. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense has estimated a need for at least 100 specialized anti-drone operators to counter potential mass attacks by the Russian Shahed-type suicide drones. Many members of the 1031st company are civilian drone experts who have volunteered their time to help Ukraine, bringing back the technical and tactical experience necessary to defend the Baltic borders.
For BlueBird Tech, the interest from NATO countries is a clear indicator of the high level of trust in Ukrainian defense technology. While the company is open to future export opportunities, they maintain that all international distribution will be strictly coordinated with the Ukrainian government to ensure national security priorities are met first, Militarnyi wrote.
The adoption of Ukrainian “Chuyka” detectors by Lithuania’s 1031st Drone Company follows a strategic move by Vilnius to modernize its territorial defense against high-volume aerial threats.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas had previously announced a massive initiative to train at least 100 specialized anti-drone operators to counter potential Shahed-type incursions. This buildup is part of the “Drone Wall” project, an EU-backed electronic and kinetic shield designed to protect the bloc’s eastern border using battlefield lessons and affordable interceptor technologies developed during the full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
