VILNIUS - After a stream of recent airspace violations, the Lithuanian armed forces unveiled one of three newly acquired surveillance and target acquisition radar systems on Aug. 17, which will enable them to better observe and control airspace.
Speaking at the ceremony, Defense Ministry Undersecretary Povilas Malakauskas described the radar system, which costs about 25 million euros, as an important acquisition in the modernization of Lithuania's armed forces.
"The purchase of these radars and the Stinger and Javelin missile systems symbolizes that troops trained with the help of simple means in the last decade are transferring to complicated and modern ammunition," the Defense Ministry official said.
Armed forces commander Colonel Edvardas Mazeikis said the new radars would help prevent cases of foreign aircraft violating Lithuanian airspace at low altitudes, as occurred at the beginning of the month. (See news briefs on this page.)
According to Werner Muller, the head of radar manufacturer European Aeronautic Defense and Space Company's German branch, Lithuania was the first Baltic state to choose the mobile radars manufactured by the firm.
The Defense Ministry has also announced a tender for the modernization of two Soviet-made radars P-37. The modernization project should be completed within three years, after which the radars will become three-dimensional - determining the direction and distance of on-coming objects, as well as their altitude.
After Lithuania joined NATO this spring, the Karmelava regional air observation center assumed functions as a NATO control center. The center does not only observe the airspace above the three Baltic states but, in case of necessity, forwards a signal to NATO fighters deployed in Zokniai.
Five Danish F-16 are now stationed in Zokniai on a mission to guard Baltic air.
News of the new radar system was especially welcomed by Lithuanian armed forces after learning this week that the United States will move many of its troops stationed abroad to different locations, with many returning home.
Malakauskas said he was not concerned with the U.S. decision.
"The strategic forecasts for the coming decade cause no concern. Forecasts for stability in the European region are favorable. Therefore, there is no need for Americans to have the large forces there," Malakauskas told the Baltic News Service.
