VILNIUS, Lithuania — April 14, 2026 : Lithuania has received a new batch of components for its National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System (NASAMS), as part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen national air defence capabilities. The delivery was confirmed by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, which also released images showing two launcher units transported by truck to the Lithuanian Air Force Air Defence Battalion.
The systems were supplied by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, the Norwegian defence contractor responsible for co-developing NASAMS alongside U.S.-based Raytheon Technologies. According to official information, deliveries of additional system components, including fire control centres and radar units, began in late March 2026. The newly delivered battery is expected to reach initial operational capability by the end of 2026.
NASAMS is a modular, medium-range, ground-based air defence system designed to detect, track, and engage a wide range of aerial threats. These include fixed-wing aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles, and cruise missiles. The system primarily employs AIM-120 AMRAAM interceptors and features an open architecture that allows integration with various sensors and command-and-control networks.
Procurement Timeline and System Integration
Lithuania’s acquisition of NASAMS began in 2017, when the government signed an initial contract valued at €109 million for the NASAMS III configuration. Following a period of testing and integration, the first two batteries were formally handed over to the Lithuanian Armed Forces on October 30, 2020.
The country has since expanded its procurement through multiple follow-on agreements. On December 14, 2023, Kongsberg and the Lithuanian government signed a second contract worth €200 million. This agreement included not only additional NASAMS units but also provisions to modernize the systems originally acquired in 2017.
Further expansion was confirmed in October 2024, when Lithuania concluded a third contract valued at €193 million. This agreement covers additional NASAMS systems and continued upgrades to earlier equipment, ensuring standardization and interoperability across the country’s air defence infrastructure. Deliveries under the 2024 contract are scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2028.
Defence Funding and Associated Acquisitions
In April 2025, the Lithuanian government approved €187.7 million in borrowed funds to support priority defence acquisitions. These funds were structured as advance payments to secure production timelines for key military systems tied to the development of Lithuania’s planned national combined arms division.
Of this allocation, €150 million was designated for the procurement of 27 Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles, locally known as the “Vilkas” variant. Deliveries of these vehicles are expected between 2027 and 2029.
The remaining €37.7 million was allocated to secure future NASAMS deliveries, with those systems currently scheduled for arrival in 2028.
In parallel, the United States approved a Foreign Military Sale to Lithuania in October 2023 valued at approximately $100 million. The package includes 36 AIM-120C-8 AMRAAM missiles and associated support equipment, which will serve as the primary interceptors for Lithuania’s NASAMS batteries.
Support to Ukraine
Alongside domestic procurement, Lithuania has also contributed to strengthening Ukraine’s air defence capabilities. In June 2023, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence signed a €9.8 million contract with Kongsberg for the purchase of two NASAMS launchers specifically intended for transfer to Ukraine.
These launchers were configured to integrate with existing NASAMS systems already operated by Ukrainian forces, supplied earlier by Norway and the United States. On November 10, 2023, Lithuanian authorities confirmed that the launchers and associated equipment had been successfully delivered to Ukraine.
Ongoing Air Defence Development
The latest deliveries form part of Lithuania’s broader strategy to develop a layered and integrated air defence network. The expansion of NASAMS capabilities is aligned with national defence planning objectives, including the establishment and support of the country’s 1st Division.
No additional technical specifications or financial details beyond previously announced contracts have been disclosed by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence or Kongsberg.
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