NATO countries are implementing a rotational air defense model stationed in Lithuania in response to calls from the Baltic states to boost Europe's defense capabilities in the region.
According to Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas, who spoke about the defense model at a press conference Thursday, the defense systems will be operational in his nation later this year. NATO countries agreed to creating a rotational system—in which allied countries would deploy air defense systems to the Baltic states for a period of time—during the Vilnius NATO Summit in the summer.
Anušauskas did not state which Western countries are involved in the first round of air defenses being installed in Lithuania, but did say that the equipment includes Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. The defense official told reporters that the Patriots were being provided by a European ally, not the United States.
"The expectation is that this principle would not be a one-off thing for several months but would cover all of our calendar months and significantly increase our air defense capabilities," Anušauskas said, as quoted by Lithuanian National Radio and Television.
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According to Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas, who spoke about the defense model at a press conference Thursday, the defense systems will be operational in his nation later this year. NATO countries agreed to creating a rotational system—in which allied countries would deploy air defense systems to the Baltic states for a period of time—during the Vilnius NATO Summit in the summer.
Anušauskas did not state which Western countries are involved in the first round of air defenses being installed in Lithuania, but did say that the equipment includes Patriot surface-to-air missile systems. The defense official told reporters that the Patriots were being provided by a European ally, not the United States.
"The expectation is that this principle would not be a one-off thing for several months but would cover all of our calendar months and significantly increase our air defense capabilities," Anušauskas said, as quoted by Lithuanian National Radio and Television.
More
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Allied members are implementing a rotational air defense model in Lithuania, which will be operational later this year.
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