The Lithuanian Armed Forces have deployed a medium-range NASAMS air defence system on the outskirts of Vilnius, replacing the previous short-range systems that have been deployed there since the first drone incursions from Belarus last year.
“Speaking about the qualitative change, as planned and promised, we have already replaced our short-range RBS-70 system with NASAMS, and today the approaches to Vilnius are being protected much more effectively and powerfully, with a greater range,” Chief of Defence Raimundas Vaikšnoras told BNS.
He did not say when the system was deployed.
“Critics may say that NASAMS is not the system you want to use to shoot down a cheap drone with an expensive missile, but until we have other capabilities, it is probably the most flexible option.
“It is similar to the missiles used by the fighter jets involved in Baltic air policing. They are actually expensive, but at present they are the most effective means because you can intercept and destroy a drone anywhere over Lithuanian territory. So NASAMS gives us speed, range and accuracy,” the general said.
