Kongsberg to supply more air defence systems to Lithuania
Lithuania has been among a number of Eastern European and Baltic-region countries moving to boost air defence capabilities. (Photo: Kongsberg)
The National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS) was originally developed by Kongsberg and Raytheon to meet the requirements of the Royal Norwegian Air Force but is now in service with 13 countries.
Lithuania has ordered more NASAMS medium-range air defence systems from Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and current systems in service with the Baltic will also be modernised under the deal.
Lithuania purchased systems in 2017 and earlier this year Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence purchased NASAMS missile launchers for donation to Ukraine. Lithuania became the first international customer of NASAMS III in October 2020.
The NOK2.3 billion (US$218.6 million) contract is another example of Baltic, former Soviet and Eastern European countries boosting their defensive capabilities in the face of Russian aggression in Ukraine.
Related Articles
Estonia adds more Thales radars to boost air defences
Latvia makes its largest defence investment in air defence system
Vehicles ordered for Poland’s PILICA+ short-range air defence system
The system consists of Raytheon’s Sentinel radar and three advanced missile variants, as well as Kongsberg’s Fire Distribution Center and multi-missile launchers.
According to Shephard Defence Insight, each battery for Lithuania will comprise four launchers mounted on Mercedes-Benz 8x8 trucks, Kongsberg’s Fire Distribution Center, two Raytheon MPQ-64F1 Sentinel 3D radars and several other components mounted on 4x4 trucks.
Baltic and Eastern European countries have been turning to Western air- and land-defence systems in the past decade and more so since the Russian invasion of Ukraine began in February 2022.
Earlier this month, Latvia announced it had made its largest defence investment as an independent country, signing a €600 million (US$647 million) deal with Diehl Defence for an IRIS-T SLM medium-range air defence system.
In November, MBDA UK and the Polish PGZ signed a £4 billion (US$4.9 billion) deal to work on the next phase of Poland’s future air defence programme.
More from Land Warfare
-
![Team LionStrike polishes British Army vehicle offering for Land Mobility Programme]()
Team LionStrike polishes British Army vehicle offering for Land Mobility Programme
Team LionStrike has demonstrated its offering for the British Army’s Land Mobility Programme with plans to bid the Chevrolet Silverado and two variants of the platform: the Infantry Squad Vehicle and General Support Utility Platform.
-
![South Korean companies turning necessity into export opportunity]()
South Korean companies turning necessity into export opportunity
South Korea’s particular geopolitical situation and threat environment has created a defence industry ecosystem of substantial size and breadth.
-
![Still no clarity on the future of the British Army’s new wheeled artillery system]()
Still no clarity on the future of the British Army’s new wheeled artillery system
The UK donated its AS90 155mm/39cal tracked self-propelled howitzers to Ukraine ahead of planned retirement and bought Archer platforms to fill the gap. Eventually RCH 155s were ordered but the procurement effort remains under a cloud.
-
![More details of Indonesia’s Celeris-based 4x4 emerge as customer hunt begins]()
More details of Indonesia’s Celeris-based 4x4 emerge as customer hunt begins
The Texelis Celeris builds on the rolling chassis of the Serval 4×4 lightweight multi-role armoured vehicle which is being built by Texelis and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Nexter Defence Systems (KNDS France).
-
![KF41 Lynx finds a path but hurdles remain]()
KF41 Lynx finds a path but hurdles remain
The Lynx is typically configured as an IFV operated by a crew of three and with space for up to eight dismounts in the rear troop compartment. The platform is being delivered to Hungary, has been contracted for Italy and will soon be in Ukrainian hands in small numbers.
