Lithuania is buying missiles for anti-aircraft system from a Swedish company in a deal worth 45 million euro, the Defence Ministry reports.
The contract signed between the Defence Ministry’s Defence Materiel Agency and SAAB Dynamics AB concerns acquisition of Bolide- and MK2-type guided missiles for short-range anti-aircraft systems RBS-70.
According to the ministry, the missiles will help ensure more effective execution of air defence tasks.
RBS-70-type missile systems are part of the arsenal of the Air Defence Battalion of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
The systems were picked due to particularly easy maintenance, mobility and absolute resistance to mechanical and electromagnetic disturbances, the ministry said.
MK2 missiles with a range of 7 kilometers and the maximum altitude of 4 kilometers are used by many NATO allies, according to the press release. New generation Bolide-type missiles represent an improved version of MK2 missiles with a new engine, which makes the missiles faster, improve their manoeuvrability as well as range and altitude parameters.
According to Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas, Lithuania’s increased military budget opened up possibilities to step up weapon procurement. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
