The Lithuanian government announced its decision to accelerate the process for the acquisition of a medium-range anti-aircraft defence system. The decision has been adopted because of the recent missile drop in Poland.

The decision of the National Security Council was announced by an adviser to the President, Gitanas Nausenda. Details will be finalized soon, while procurement of the system is expected in 2023.

Ahead of the 2023 NATO summit in Vilnius, the Lithuanian government is making it a priority for the allies to work in the design and development of a regional anti-aircraft defence system.

Lithuania borders the Russian enclave of Kaliningrad and Moscow’s ally Belarus. The government in Vilnius perceives the war in Ukraine as the most serious threat to Lithuanian national security.

The Lithuanian military already uses the US-made anti-aircraft system NASAMS. Lithuanian government will increase military spending to 3% of GDP in 2023.

Also read: Poland | Need to ascertain origin of missile – Risk of escalation