The Lithuanian Defence Ministry has signed a 200-million-euro contract to purchase a new NASAMS system from its Norwegian manufacturer.
This marks the start of the second phase of procurement of the medium-range air defence system, the ministry said in a press release on Thursday.
“In order to strengthen the country’s air defence in the most effective way, the Lithuanian Armed Forces will purchase and further develop the NASAMS system,” it said. “This week, an acquisition contract was signed with Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace, the Norwegian company that produces the system.”
According to the ministry, the value of the newly-procured NASAMS system is around 200 million euros. This covers system components, a package of spare parts and tools, training of operators and technical staff, and integration of the existing and newly-purchased systems.
Part of the NASAMS equipment acquired in the second phase is expected to be delivered to Lithuania in 2026.
The Defence Ministry launched the first NASAMS procurement phase in 2016. The system reached Lithuania in 2020 and was successfully integrated into its Armed Forces in 2022 after the completion of personnel training.
NASAMS is the most widely used medium-range air defence system across NATO and is fully in line with the requirements for Lithuania’s defence capabilities, according to the press release.
The third-generation air defence systems are designed to destroy various types of aircraft, cruise missiles and remotely piloted aircraft, it said.
The ministry notes that by further developing the NASAMS system, Lithuania maintains “not only the full compatibility of the existing and newly-procured systems, but also the logistical and administrative integrity, and the interchangeability of the system components and personnel”.
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