Lithuania is on air defense

Riga (dpa) — Lithuania plans to buy RBS 70 NG portable air defence missile systems worth more than €320 million ($375 million) to strengthen its defence capabilities, the Defence Ministry said on Wednesday.

A contract has been signed with Swedish manufacturer Saab, according to the statements from the ministry and the firm. Together with earlier contracts, it ensures a continuous supply of the weaponry to Lithuania’s armed forces between 2026 and 2032.

“Strengthening air defence is one of our top priorities,” said Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas.

Lithuania already has RBS 70 systems, a short-range air defence system that enables effective combat against air targets day and night. It was selected as it is easy to maintain and is highly mobile among further technical benefits, the ministry’s statement said.

Lithuania is on air defense

The government had announced before Christmas that it planned to buy anti-tank ammunition and disposable grenade launchers, also from Saab.

Lithuania, which borders Russian exclave Kaliningrad and Russian ally Belarus, sees the Kremlin’s war on Ukraine as a direct threat.

Since Moscow launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Vilnius and other Baltic capitals have significantly upgraded their defence capabilities.

Lithuania is set to spend 5.38% of its gross domestic product on defence next year.