Lithuania Strengthens Its Air Defense
Lithuania is in the process of strengthening its air defense. In fact, a third Mobile Short Range Air Defense System (MSHORAD) has been ordered from Swedish manufacturer Saab Dynamics.
The value of this additional short-range air defense system is over 119 million euros.
The system to be purchased will be comprised of the Mobile Radar Unit Giraffe 1X, Mobile Firing Units armed with RBS70 NG missiles, and a GBAD C2 fire command and control system, all produced by Saab.
The various system components will be delivered by Saab to Lithuania during the period 2026-2029.
The MSHORAD system as a whole is designed to ensure the protection of certain sites, territories, and critical infrastructures.
The ‘Giraffe 1X’ radars ensure the monitoring of low-altitude airspace, significantly increasing the capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces to detect and engage unmanned aircraft and other low-flying targets.
The MSHORAD system is fully mobile as it is installed on board the 4×4 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) of Oshkosh Defense.
For this purpose, a contract will be signed shortly with Saab Dynamics for the integration of these components into the armored JLTVs of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
The value of this MSHORAD integration contract with the JLTV is estimated at about 11 million euros.
The strengths of the MSHORAD system lie in its mobility, resistance to electromagnetic interference, and its suitability for the use of missiles and air defense systems already in service with the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
The Bolide Mk 2 Missile of the RBS-70 NG
In the ranks of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, the MSHORAD system will use laser-guided Bolide Mk 2 missiles that are resistant to electromagnetic interference.
The Bolide Mk 2 is the third-generation short-range air defense missile developed by Saab with multi-target engagement capabilities. With the Bolide missile, the RBS-70NG system can engage a full spectrum of threats: from fixed and rotary wing aircraft, to small-sized targets such as cruise missiles and UAVs, with a range of over 9 kilometers and a tangency greater than 5,000 meters.
The Bolide missile reaches the speed of Mach 2 and, thanks to the laser guidance, can also engage ground and naval targets, expanding the operational capabilities of the RBS 70 NG system.
Source: Lithuanian National Defense Ministry
Photo credit: @Saab
