Grybauskaite: "Lithuania is becoming safer"

  • 2015-11-27
  • BNS/TBT-STAFF/VILNIUS

According to Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite, new long-range NATO radars will enhance the protection of both Lithuanian and eastern NATO borders.

Grybauskaite’s comments came at a ceremony to bury a time capsule in the foundation of the radar post in Lithuania’s Prienai district.

"Lithuania is becoming even safer,” she said. “The radar post to be erected here soon will not just upgrade the surveillance and control system of our national air space but will also contribute to the protection of NATO’s eastern borders. 

“It is a significant strategic project that will benefit the safety and well-being of all people of Lithuania.”

In her words, the latest generation radars will enhance the anti-aircraft defence system and ensure uninterrupted surveillance of the air space, which Lithuania must guarantee for the purposes of hosting NATO’s air-policing mission.

"This will be the latest technology installed in NATO member-states,” she told journalists. “We will be proud of being able to fully meet our commitments in protecting Lithuania and NATO’s Eastern borders. 

The construction of the new radar post will allow full renovation of the infrastructure that will host a new long-range radar at the Lithuanian Air Forces Radar Post located in the southern Lithuanian district of Prienao.

Radar posts will also be renovated in the Ignalina and the Silute districts, the presidential office stated.

According to data provided by Lithuania’s Defence Ministry, the new NATO standard radars will replace outdated Soviet era long-range radars, which the Lithuanian Armed Forces currently operate.