Soviet-era radars' last days

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

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

The winning offer will be announced in 2009, when an agreement will be drawnup. The new radar systems and their network infrastructure are to be put inplace 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 meuro) for purchasing the radar system, to be paid in instalments from 2009 to2015. The exact price will become known after signing a contract with thetender-winning manufacturer.

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

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

The NC3A and the Lithuanian DefenceMinistry signed an agreement in 2007 delegating the NC3A agency to acquire,under procedures set out by NATO, radars necessary to improve Lithuania'sair space surveillance system and to the implementation of purchase and sellingagreements.

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