Lithuania sticks with NASAMS even as other Baltics opt for German defence systems – MoD

Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas has said Latvia’s and Estonia’s choice to purchase German-made medium-range air defence systems has no impact on Lithuania’s decision on Norwegian-made NASAMS air defence system.

“We offered [to jointly buy NASAMS], as did our partners,” LRT quotes Anušauskas as saying.

“They chose the Germans. But this does not affect our choice, because we have an operational NASAMS system in place, and it is well-mastered,” he added.

The Lithuanian Defence Ministry said Lithuania has initiated the second phase of procuring a medium-range air defence system and is planning to buy NASAMS additionally.

The Lithuanian Armed Forces have been using this military equipment since late 2020.

“The existing NASAMS system is already integrated and operated by the Lithuanian Armed Forces, so additional acquisition of NASAMS system would not pose integration problems,” the ministry said.

“Moreover, there is already experience working with this system, and the personnel is trained and prepared to operate it,” it said.

The Ministry expects to sign a contract with Norway’s Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace by the end of this year.

The latest third-generation air defence systems procured from Norway are designed for the destruction of various types of aircraft, cruise missiles, and remotely piloted aircraft.

According to Anušauskas, Latvia and Estonia opted not to join Lithuania not only this time but also during the first purchase of NASAMS.

“We offered, they initially agreed, and then said there was no money,” the minister said.

Last week, Estonia and Latvia signed a joint deal, worth around 1 billion euros, to purchase an Iris-T SLM medium-range air defence system from the German manufacturer Diehl.