Фото: правительство Литвы
Lithuania will allocate a quarter of this year’s arms procurement budget to the acquisition of airspace surveillance and air defence systems. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said this, LRT reported, citing Elta.
According to him, the main focus is currently on developing the ability to detect and neutralise drones. The country is expanding its network of radars and sensors and purchasing kinetic and non-kinetic counter-drone systems. Additional passive and active radars, as well as individual drone detection and neutralisation systems, are being acquired for the armed forces, border guard service and public security service.
At the same time, traditional air defence is also being strengthened. A medium-range NASAMS air defence system is due to arrive in Lithuania as early as April and is expected to reach initial operational readiness by the end of the year. Mobile short-range MSHORAD air defence systems are scheduled to arrive next year. New short-range Giraffe radars will be introduced in the near future, while purchases of passive radars are also planned. Lithuania is also jointly procuring Polish-made VSHORAD Piorun systems together with Poland, Estonia and Norway.
Lithuania’s air defence is part of NATO’s integrated air and missile defence system, the outlet noted.