Lithuania buys additional NASAMS air defence systems
Lithuania has purchased additional NASAMS medium-range air defence systems for 234 million euros, Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas said.
“Air defence is a critical capability not only in Lithuania, but also in the whole [NATO] alliance,” he told a press conference.
The contract was signed on Thursday, the minister said, adding that the increase in defence 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 defence 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,” Kasčiūnas 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 defence 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,” Kasčiūnas pointed out.
In July, Lithuania signed a 147-million-euro contract for the acquisition of part of the MSHORAD systems. Kasčiūnas says they will arrive in Lithuania between 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 armoured all-terrain vehicles.
Lithuania also plans to buy Piorun mobile short-range air defence systems with Poland. According to Kasčiūnas, 10 million euros has been allocated for this purpose this year.
