Lithuania enhances defence capabilities with Swedish MSHORAD air defence system

The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence has revealed its purchase of a mobile short-range air defence system, the RBS70 NG (MSHORAD), from the Swedish company Saab Dynamics for 147 million euros ($159 million).

The Defence Materiel Agency has completed agreements with Saab Dynamics, with deliveries set to occur from 2025 to 2027, Caliber.Az reports citing the foreign media.

"The MSHORAD system is crucial for protecting certain installations, sites, and critical infrastructure. Its mobility significantly enhances the capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. Currently, we use the older RBS70 air defence system and Bolide missiles," stated Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas in a press release.

The Mobile Short-Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) is a compact air defence solution developed by the Swedish company Saab, specializing in aerospace and defence. The finalized version of this system was unveiled in March 2022. The MSHORAD air defence system includes a Giraffe 1X multi-mission 3D radar and a mobile firing unit equipped with RBS 70 NG short-range missiles. These radar and missile systems are coordinated by Saab’s ground-based air defence command and control (GBAD C2) system.

The Giraffe 1X radar is a compact, high-performance 3D multi-mission radar primarily used for short-range surveillance and surface-to-air defence. Equipped with gallium nitride circuits, it offers 360° coverage and situational awareness up to 75 km. It can detect hard-to-target drones, even those that are small, slow, and low-flying.

The Maneuver Short-Range Air Defense (M-SHORAD) system is a mobile, rapidly deployable air defense solution designed to protect ground forces from a range of aerial threats. Developed by the United States Army, M-SHORAD addresses the increasing threat posed by unmanned aerial systems (UAS), rotary-wing, and fixed-wing aircraft in modern combat environments.

The M-SHORAD system represents a significant advancement in short-range air defense technology, addressing the evolving threat landscape and ensuring that U.S. forces remain protected from aerial attacks. Its mobility, versatility, and advanced targeting capabilities make it a valuable asset in modern warfare, capable of defending against a wide range of airborne threats in various combat scenarios.