Lithuania and Norwegian defense systems manufacturer Kongsberg signed on Thursday a 110 million euro (128.6 million U.S. dollars) deal to purchase mid-range air defense systems Nasams.
The deal was signed by representatives of Lithuanian Air force and the Norwegian company. According to the procurement contract, Lithuania will acquire two air defense batteries, logistical maintenance package, training services.
“Nasams is a capability we needed and did not have till present. This procurement fills one of the biggest gaps in national defense,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Raimundas Karoblis said.
Karoblis also thanked Norway’s defense ministry for “selling surplus Nasams equipment operated by Norwegian armed forces” and for help in implementation of the project.
Currently, the Lithuania’s armed force only has short-range air defense systems.
The Lithuanian armed force expects to receive all the systems and training by 2021, according to the Lithuanian defense ministry.
In recent years, Lithuania, a small Baltic state with a population of less than 3 million, and NATO Eastern flank country, has stepped up its defense by increasing defense spending and reintroducing military conscription following security tensions in eastern Europe.
