NATO defense ministers agree on rotational air defense model - Lithuanian minister

VILNIUS - NATO defense ministers agreed on a rotational air defense model in Brussels on Friday, Lithuania's Defense Ministry said.

"We have agreed with NATO defense ministers on a rotational air defense model. The model sets out the principles for countries to be able to allocate ground-based air defense and aviation capabilities, starting from NATO's eastern flank. This will ensure a faster transition to air defense and improve the readiness and interoperability of air forces," Anusauskas said.

Lithuania has prepared and will ensure favorable conditions for the implementation of the rotational air defense model, including infrastructure, host nation support and personnel, the Lithuanian minister was quoted as saying in the ministry's statement.

"In cooperation with Latvia and Estonia, we have established large interconnected airspaces in the region and they can be activated within a few hours for training or other purposes," Anusauskas said.

NATO defense ministers also agreed on an increased allied cyber defense commitment. A new mechanism for virtual assistance to allies facing cyber-attacks was also approved.

The Brussels meeting also discussed a new plan to increase the production and stockpiling of ammunition and weapons, to be adopted at the forthcoming NATO summit in Vilnius.