Lithuania, Sweden defence chiefs discuss maritime, airspace surveillance ties

VILNIUS - Lithuania’s Chief of Defence General Raimundas Vaiksnoras met his Swedish counterpart General Michael Claesson in Vilnius to discuss maritime security and closer cooperation in airspace surveillance.

"We place particular importance on maritime security - situational awareness at sea and monitoring of the underwater environment - as well as closer exchange of airspace surveillance data, which strengthens our common early warning system," Vaiksnoras said.

The Lithuanian military said on Wednesday that the meeting also covered air defence, including the development of counter-drone capabilities.

Vaiksnoras emphasised the need to strengthen NATO's integrated air and missile defence system and to pay greater attention to emerging threats.

Claesson also met Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas to discuss bilateral cooperation, Sweden's contribution to regional security and the reinforcement of NATO's eastern flank. Particular focus was placed on Baltic Sea security initiatives and the importance of an allied military presence in the region.

"We are grateful for Sweden's participation in strengthening NATO's eastern flank - especially through involvement in Baltic Sea security initiatives such as 'Baltic Sentry' and 'Eastern Sentry'. Sweden's decisions to bolster its military presence and invest in collective defence send an important signal about our shared commitment to deterring threats and ensuring stability in the Baltic region," Kaunas said.

The Swedish chief of defence and his delegation are also scheduled to visit the General Silvestras Zukauskas Training Area to review military infrastructure development, host nation support capabilities and counter-mobility equipment parks.

The visit will conclude at the Jurgis Kybartas border checkpoint on the Lithuanian-Belarusian border, where the delegation will be briefed on border protection systems, surveillance capabilities and engineering measures designed to enhance national security.

Lithuania has signed significant contracts with the Swedish defence industry. Agreements with Saab, valued at approximately 0.8 billion euros, include the acquisition of Mobile Short-Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) systems, multi-purpose portable 84mm Carl Gustaf M4 systems and ammunition.