VILNIUS, Jun 19, BNS -  The NASAMS medium-range air-defense systems procured from Norway have been delivered to the Air Defense Battalion of the Lithuanian Air Force, the military said on Friday. 

"The arrival of the systems has made the Lithuanian air defense stronger and contributes to further strengthening of deterrence," Lithuania's Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Valdemaras Rupsys said in a press release.

"If we link together all elements of the defense system, we get good results that will make potential aggressor think twice, and consequently give us more security and discretion," he said. 

NASAMS is the most widely used medium-range air defense system in NATO member countries, including to protect airspace around the White House.

The system procured by Lithuania is NASAMS 3, the latest version whose only other user currently is the Norwegian Armed Forces, according to the press release. 

The procured NASAMS systems comprise fire control centers, missile launchers and communications equipment, etc.

Lithuania has also upgraded the RBS70 short-range air defense systems it has been using and will integrate both systems "to form an overall Lithuanian airspace defense shield".

"Training of qualified personnel for work with the new equipment began in Norway at the end of last year according to the methodology and programs developed by the Norwegian Armed Forces and Kongsberg Defense & Aerospace," the Lithuanian Armed Forces said in the press release. 

"Further training will be carried out in Lithuania by Norwegian professionals on the ground, in the Air Defense Battalion," it said.

"The personnel is planned to be fully trained by 2021 and integration of the systems into the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defense System (NATINAMDS) will begin."

Lithuania purchased the mid-range air defense system under a 110-million-euro contract that the Defense Ministry signed with Norway's Kongsberg on October 26, 2017. 

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