National Air Surveillance and Defence Stepped Up

As a result of upgrading surveillance and defence of national airspace, Lithuanian Armed Forces schedule purchasing two long range radars for airspace surveillance. New equipment will be employed instead of currently used long range radars: three technically outdated P-37s and three P-18s dating back to the Soviet times.>> Procurement is arranged through mediation of NATO Consultation, Command and Control Agency (NC3A); invitation was circulated on November 10 for manufacturers of NATO members to enter Lithuanian Armed Forces contest for long range radar procurement. The new provider should be known and contracted by 2009, and the new radars are expected to be installed, infrastructure of communications built and personnel trained by the end of 2015.>> Upgrading air surveillance and defence is a priority point in the development process of the national defence system. New capabilities are acquired to ensure reliable air surveillance as well as to enforce joint NATO airspace control and defence, Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas commented the project.>> According to Commander Lithuanian Air Force Brig. Gen. Arturas Leita, new radars will improve response of LAF and NATO fighters on the Baltic air-policing mission to possible threats.>> The radars will be installed in the posts of LAF Air Surveillance and Control Command. Infrastructure of the posts will be updated along with installation of the new equipment.>> According to the December 2007 agreement between Lithuanian Ministry of Defence and NC3A, the Agency buys radars necessary for improvement of Lithuanian air surveillance and defence with regard to all the NATO standards as well as supervises fulfillment of sale-purchase contract. The Agency arranged procurement of radar equipment for armed forces of other NATO allies too.