A joint air defence exercise with Italian forces is planned in Lithuania next year as an introduction to the implementation of NATO’s rotational air defence model in the Baltic states, according to Lithuania’s Chief of Defence General Valdemaras Rupšys.
He said this after a meeting in Vilnius on Friday with Italian Chief of Defence Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone.
“We are talking about another project, that the Italian army can participate in air defence exercises, or their units can come and participate together with our air defence, ground and other units in Lithuania. This will happen soon enough and we have agreed that this will be an initial contribution to the development of the air defence system in the eastern part of NATO,” Rupšys told reporters on Friday. “This is good news and good news from the esteemed Italian chief of defence.”
Rupšys said he had invited Italy to test elements of air defence with the Lithuanian armed forces during next year’s Iron Wolf, Strong Griffin and other exercises.
NATO countries agreed on an air defence model in June in response to the Baltic states’ calls for the allies to step up air defence in the region.
Given the shortage of air defence weaponry, the Baltic states have proposed a rotational deployment of air defence forces, meaning that a different Western partner could send military equipment to a different Baltic state on a rotational basis. This would allow for a transition from almost 20 years of NATO air policing to an air defence mission, the Baltic states says.
The rotational air defence model should ensure the rotational deployment of allied ground-based air defence systems, while also enhancing aviation capabilities.
Dragone says these NATO plans would allow “to further improve the readiness, preparedness of NATO’s integrated air and missile defence, in particular through regular training and rotational presence” on NATO’s eastern flank.
Earlier this week, Italian fighter jets completed their fifth four-month air policing mission in Lithuania.
Italy has also sent around 260 troops to the NATO international battalion in Latvia.
Rupšys also said he and his Italian counterpart discussed military support to Ukraine and potential international operations in the Mediterranean Sea.
Newsletter
Every Friday morning.
