DBOX / Use cases / Defence / Border security

Defence / Border security

Border patrol

An autonomous drone system deployed for the Lithuanian State Border Guard Service (VSAT) — continuous monitoring, rapid response and secure data handling along the Lithuania–Belarus border.

ClientVSAT — State Border Guard
IntegratorATEA
LocationKabeliai border post, LT
BorderEU external / Belarus

Overview

Meeting modern demands in border security

Protecting the EU’s external border requires continuous surveillance and fast response across vast, hard-to-reach areas. Hybrid threats from Belarus — balloons, illegal crossings and low-flying drones — demand new approaches. Together with DBOX and ATEA, VSAT has deployed an autonomous drone solution for continuous monitoring, rapid response and secure data handling along the border.

The challenge

  • Forests, lakes, wetlands and swamps limit ground access
  • Long distances between patrol points
  • Poor night-time visibility
  • Manual patrols are slow, resource-heavy and expose personnel to risk
  • High alert levels through the night require large teams or automation
DBOX surveillance tower at the Lithuania–Belarus border

The solution

A fixed-location autonomous aerial surveillance post

  • Installed at the Kabeliai border patrol post; multiple DBOX units can cover entire border sections
  • Missions pre-planned or triggered automatically by camera-based alerts
  • Thermal and optical cameras enable 24/7 monitoring and detection of illegal crossings
  • Live video transmitted to the VSAT command system
  • All flight data and recordings securely stored for evidence and review
  • ATEA ensures secure IT infrastructure and integration with existing VSAT workflows

Why it works

01

Automated operations

Mission-planned and event-triggered flights without manual launch requirements.

02

Rapid first response

Airborne within seconds; any border point reached in a couple of minutes — far faster than ground patrols.

03

Thermal surveillance

Reliable detection of people and vehicles at night and in low visibility.

04

Complex terrain coverage

Effective monitoring of forests, lakes, wetlands and swamps inaccessible to vehicles.

05

Evidence collection

All mission data automatically recorded and stored for investigations and legal procedures.

06

EU & NATO aligned stack

Developed in Lithuania with US/EU-registered drone platforms. Fully non-Chinese solution.

Filmed at the Lithuanian border

EU external border fence
EU external border fenceLT–BY
Deployment at the border patrol post
Deployment at the border patrol postVSAT
Parrot drone launching on a border mission
Parrot drone heading out on missionGO-TO

Key benefits

What the border guard gained

Next step

See the system live

Book a demonstration or discuss integration with our team.