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Lithuania Strengthens Its Defense with Acquisition of New NASAMS Systems.
Lithuania recently signed a contract for the purchase of NASAMS air defense systems, worth €234 million. Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas announced that this acquisition was made possible by an increase in the defense budget, enabling the planned purchase date of 2031 to be advanced.
The NASAMS is an air defense missile system. (Picture source: Kongsberg)
The NASAMS, developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and Raytheon Technologies, provides medium-range coverage capable of targeting aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. These systems are particularly valued by NATO countries for their effectiveness and operational flexibility. The contract also includes upgrades to Lithuania’s NASAMS systems acquired in 2017, thereby enhancing the country’s defensive capabilities against modern aerial threats.
In addition, Lithuania has signed a second contract, estimated at around €130 million, with the Swedish company Saab to procure short-range RBS70 NG (MSHORAD) air defense systems. This combination of short- and medium-range systems will enable Lithuania to establish a layered air defense, securing its airspace and critical infrastructure.
The modernization of Lithuania's air defense aligns with a broader strategy aiming to raise the defense budget to 4% of GDP, a target recently discussed by the Lithuanian government. This decision reflects Lithuania's commitment to strengthening national security while contributing to NATO’s collective defense capabilities, especially in light of increasing regional tensions.
The NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is designed to intercept aerial threats over medium to long distances. It utilizes missiles with a solid-fuel engine, achieving a speed of Mach 2.7. The system’s AIM-120C missile is equipped with an 18.1 kg fragmentation warhead, effectively damaging or destroying targets such as aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. With an operational range of 180 km, NASAMS provides broad area coverage and enhances airspace monitoring for its operators.
Developed in Norway, NASAMS is employed by several countries, including the United States, Norway, Lithuania, Ukraine, and Spain. It operates in both active and passive engagement modes, providing flexibility to counter diverse threats. The missile’s compact design—with a length of 3.7 meters, a diameter of 0.18 meters, and a wingspan of 0.53 meters—optimizes integration into mobile or fixed ground-based launch platforms.
NASAMS is particularly valued for its accuracy and reliability, offering users a robust air defense capability suited to modern security contexts where rapid interception and target versatility are crucial.
The first NASAMS system deliveries are expected in early 2026, with completion in 2027, while the RBS70 NG systems are set to arrive between 2025 and 2027, reinforcing Lithuania’s air defense capabilities in the years to come.