Sweden to Supply Air Defence System to Lithuania
The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence is initiating the purchase of a short-range mobile air defence system, LRT reports, citing the ministry's press service.
On 20 December in Stockholm, the Deputy Minister of National Defence of Lithuania, Greta Monika Tuckute, signed a preliminary agreement with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV). Thus, Lithuania has joined the contract for the purchase of short-range air defence systems conducted by this institution.
"The short-range air defence system will significantly enhance the protection of our airspace. In cooperation with FMV, we are initiating further procurement procedures to determine the exact price, scope and all other details," said the Deputy Minister of Defence.
The first components of the short-range air defence system are expected to be delivered to Lithuania in 2025, and the entire system by 2027.
During her visit to Stockholm, the Deputy Minister also held a bilateral meeting with Swedish Deputy Minister of Defence Peter Sandwall.
They discussed strengthening cooperation between the two countries after Sweden's accession to NATO, including the possible involvement of the Swedes in the NATO Air Policing Mission or NATO's Rotational Air Defence Model. The deputy ministers also discussed the coalition for demining Ukraine formed by Lithuania.
It was reported at the end of September that Lithuania expects to receive air defence systems from Sweden and Finland.
NATO countries agreed on an air defence model in June this year in response to calls from the Baltic states for the allies to strengthen air defence in the region.
As The Gaze previously reported, Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius are planning to sign a plan to deploy a Bundeswehr brigade to Lithuania. This will mean consolidating the further strategic course for the full deployment of the German contingent in this country.
The plan, developed by a joint working group of the defence ministries of both countries, envisages the gradual deployment of German troops in Lithuania from 2024 to 2027, with the deployment scheduled to be completed.
The German brigade in Lithuania is expected to consist of five battalions, including tank and artillery units. In total, Germany intends to deploy about 5,000 military personnel and civilians to Lithuania, who will join their compatriots on a long-term rotation.