Lithuania has for the first time acquired medium range air-defence systems. According to the country’s chief of defence, Valdemaras Rupšys, the defences are able to cover the range between Lithuania's two largest cities, Kaunas and Vilnius.
“These systems enhance our air defence capacities. Previously, we had the capacity [...] only against aircraft flying at low altitudes of up to five kilometre,” he said in an interview with BNS.
“Now we can cover the altitudes of up to 10 kilometers and slightly higher. The missile range has also increased,” added Rupšys.
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The NASAMS systems were procured from Norway under a 110-million-euro deal signed in 2017, and were delivered to Lithuania in mid-June.
NASAMS is the most common medium-range air defence system employed by NATO member states, and is also used to protect airspace around the White House in Washington.
Lithuanian and NATO commanders have previously identified the lack of adequate air defences in the Baltic states as one of the main regional weaknesses. Lithuania has also called for NATO's air policing mission to be upscaled to an air defence mandate.
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The next stage of development of the medium-range air defence systems is scheduled to take place after 2030, said Rupšys.
The procured NASAMS systems include fire control centers, missile launchers and communications equipment, and they will be integrated into NATO's common air defence system in the long run.
Lithuania has also upgraded the RBS70 short-range systems it has been using and will integrate both systems.
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