# Latvia Firms Explore Network-Based Drone Tracking

Latvia’s LMT Defence and Italy’s Thales Italia signed a memorandum of understanding to assess whether existing mobile networks and defense 4G/5G technologies can detect and track drones. The work builds on EU-supported 5G COMPAD research and comes amid broader European counter-drone activity: NATO’s marketplace lists 16 tested solutions from five companies, and the EU approved a project in September 2026 to coordinate counter-drone development, deployment, and joint procurement. The MoU discloses no contract value, solicitation, or procurement schedule, so it represents technology exploration and a market signal rather than a confirmed contract opportunity.

- The NATO marketplace and EU project indicate demand for counter-UAS capabilities across static, transportable, and mobile deployments, creating potential opportunities for network, sensor, and systems suppliers.
- Telecommunications and defense suppliers can evaluate how their existing 4G/5G, sensing, and integration capabilities could support drone detection and tracking; the MoU itself does not identify a procurement route or award timeline.
- Companies pursuing European opportunities can assess alignment with the EU project’s stated goals of joint procurement and expanded European production capacity.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Information Technology
**Topics:** Digital Infrastructure
**Published:** November 13, 2026

### Government Entities
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)
- European Union (EU)
- Council of the European Union
- European Defence Fund (EDF)

### Vendors
- LMT Defence (MoU signatory)
- Thales Italia (MoU signatory)

### Key Quotes
> Modern warfare is becoming increasingly complex, and countering emerging aerial threats requires more than just dedicated military hardware; it demands seamless, multi-layered integration.
> — Salvis Skladovs, Head of LMT Defence

### Sources
- [LMT Defence, Thales Explore Using Mobile Networks to Track Drones](https://thedefensepost.com/2026/11/13/thales-lmt-mobile-network-drone-detection/amp) - The Defense Post