Soviet-era radars' last days

Nov 11, 2008
TBT staff in cooperation with BNS

Photo: Air Combat Information Group

VILNIUS- The Lithuanian Defense Ministry is preparing to purchase two long range observation radars to replace the Soviet-era equipment currently used.

The NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A) is acquiring the radar system for Lithuania and has invited manufacturers of NATO member states to partake in the tender starting Nov 17.

The winning offer will be announced in 2009, when an agreement will be drawn up. The new radar systems and their network infrastructure are to be put in place and personnel trained to work with the new equipment by the end of 2015.

The Defence Ministry will also allocate about 120 million litas (34.78 m euro) for purchasing the radar system, to be paid in instalments from 2009 to 2015. The exact price will become known after signing a contract with the tender-winning manufacturer.

The new airspace observation equipment will replace the Soviet-era built long range radars. Three P-37's, deemed by the DefMin as technically obsolete and three P -18's.

"The new radars will assist NATO fighter aircraft to partake in the Baltic air space defence mission in reacting to potential dangers," Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Brigadier General Arturas Leita said.

The NC3A and the Lithuanian Defence Ministry signed an agreement in 2007 delegating the NC3A agency to acquire, under procedures set out by NATO, radars necessary to improve Lithuania's air space surveillance system and to the implementation of purchase and selling agreements.

This agency has already organized radio-location equipment purchases for the Armed Forces of other NATO member states.

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