Lithuania buys additional NASAMS systems for EUR 234 mln

2024-10-04
BNS/TBT Staff

VILNIUS - Lithuania has purchased additional NASAMS medium-range air defense systems for 234 million euros, Defense Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said on Friday.

"Air defense is a critical capability not only in Lithuania, but also in the whole Alliance," he told a press conference on Friday.

The contract was signed on Thursday, the minister said, adding that the increase in defense funding had helped to bring forward the purchase planned for 2031.

"This is a system designed to destroy cruise missiles, hostile helicopters, aircraft and similar hostile air objects," the defense minister said.

This is the third NASAMS system acquired by Lithuania. According to the minister, its delivery to Lithuania will start in the second quarter of 2028.

"At the end of the same year, the entire battery will be in Lithuania," Kasciunas said.

The first NASAMS battery is already in Lithuania, while the second battery will start to be delivered in the first quarter of 2026 and will finally arrive by 2027.

A contract for the acquisition of a RBS70 NG short-range air defense system (MSHORAD) for around 130 million euro was also signed earlier this week.

"Its purpose is to ensure the protection of mobile ground forces, facilities, territories and critical infrastructure from airborne threats. The advantage of the system is its mobility and resistance to electromagnetic interference," Kasciunas pointed out.

In July, Lithuania signed a 147 million euro contract for the acquisition of part of the MSHORAD systems. Kasciunas says they will arrive in Lithuania in 2025-2027.

The systems for which contracts were signed earlier this week will start arriving in Lithuania in 2026, and the Lithuanian Armed Forces will finally have this capability in 2029.

The MSHORAD system is mounted on JLTV armored all-terrain vehicles.

Lithuania also plans to buy Piorun mobile short-range air defense systems with Poland. According to Kasciunas, 10 million euros has been allocated for this purpose this year.