Lithuania purchases anti-aircraft weapons for 320 million euros

NATO eastern flank

Lithuania purchases anti-aircraft weapons for 320 million euros

Air defense is considered a weak point in the Baltic states. Lithuania wants to counteract this – and is ordering anti-aircraft systems from Sweden.

Lithuania will purchase RBS 70 NG man-portable anti-aircraft missile systems worth more than 320 million euros to strengthen its defense capability. The Ministry of Defense in Vilnius and the company announced that a contract had been signed with the Swedish manufacturer Saab. Together with the previously concluded contracts, this will ensure the continuous supply of the armed forces of the Baltic EU and NATO country with this type of ammunition in the period from 2026 to 2032. “Strengthening air defense is one of our top priorities,” said Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas.

Lithuania already has RBS 70. The short-range air defense system enables effective combat against air targets day and night and was selected due to its easy maintenance, high mobility and other technical advantages, the ministry statement said. Before Christmas, Lithuania announced the procurement of anti-tank ammunition and disposable grenade launchers, which it will also purchase from Saab.

Lithuania borders the Russian exclave Kaliningrad and Russia’s ally Belarus. The war in Ukraine is seen as a direct threat to national security in the Baltic state. The government in Vilnius is therefore massively arming the army and will spend 5.38 percent of gross domestic product on defense in the coming year. In the future, an armored brigade of the Bundeswehr will also be permanently stationed in Lithuania.