In response to the recent missile incident in Poland, Lithuania’s State Defence Council on November 21 agreed to step up the acquisition of medium-range air defence systems.
“The State Defence Council members agreed on the need to accelerate the acquisition of medium-range air defence systems,” Kestutis Budrys, a chief adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda, told reporters after the council’s meeting.
The systems will be bought next year, he added.
In his words, working with allies to decide on a regional air defence system is “a priority” in the run-up to next year’s NATO summit in Vilnius.
The council also decided not to transfer PzH 2000 howitzers and NASAMS air defence systems to Ukraine, Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said after the meeting. Instead, Lithuania will continue to support Ukraine with ammunition.
“We have decided the further forms of support. We will provide the ammunition that Ukraine needs,” Anusauskas said.
According to the minister, Lithuania’s support to Ukraine exceeds 640 million euros, while military assistance amounts to over 232 million euros.
Previously, Chief of Defence Valdemaras Rupsys said that sending howitzers and air defence systems to Ukraine would erode Lithuania’s capabilities. (LRT/Business World Magazine)
