Estonia may need to raise its defence spending to 5% of GDP to implement NATO’s new defence plans, Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur stated, ERR reports. He said that Estonia clearly needed to acquire more capabilities, including air defence systems and equipment to deal with chemical and biological weapons. The money needed would amount to EUR…
The Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) have received MP7 A2 submachine guns from German arms manufacturer Heckler & Koch, according to the Ministry of Defence, Army Recognition reports. The contract, signed in October 2023, is valued at EUR 1.56mn over a period of 72 months. The ministry selected the weapons for their tactical and technical features,…
Lithuania will buy mobile short-range air defence systems from Sweden’s Saab Dynamics for EUR 147mn, the Ministry of Defence announced, BNS reports. The ministry’s Defence Materiel Agency (GRA) has signed a contract on buying the RBS70 NG (MSHORAD) systems, with delivery scheduled for 2025-2027. Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas said that the advantage of the systems…
Estonia has sent Mistral anti-aircraft missile systems to Ukraine, Fakti reports. The French-made short-range missiles can be used against low-flying aircraft and helicopters. The missiles can be fired by individual servicemen or mounted on vehicles, ships, or helicopters. In June 2024, Estonia signed a joint contract with France, Cyprus, and Hungary to replenish its stocks…
Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence will procure various types of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for EUR 36mn, BNS reports. The Defence Materiel Agency (GRA) has signed contracts to buy reconnaissance drones from Estonia’s Threod Systems and Latvia’s Edge Autonomy as well as quadcopter drones from Lithuania’s Deftools. Most of the drones will be delivered in autumn 2024…
Lithuania will acquire Polish-made Piorun air defence systems, Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas announced, BNS reports. Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz proposed that Lithuania procure the new systems jointly with Poland. Kasciunas said that Lithuania was “very pleased” with the offer. Lithuania already has an older version of the Polish-made Grom air defence system but will…
Lithuania will buy tracked vehicles in the second phase of the government’s plan to acquire infantry fighting vehicles (IFV), Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas announced, BNS reports. He said that the Defence Ministry was now in negotiations over the purchase. The minister hopes to secure approval for the procurement in the State Defence Council (VGT) in…
Latvia’s Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has recovered EUR 120,000 in a bribery case involving a Latvian company attempting to bribe a Lithuanian official, LSM reports. The individual was prosecuted in Lithuania, while KNAB held the Latvian company liable through local courts. The unnamed company had tried to bribe the commander of the Lithuanian…
Ukraine may move part of its drone production to Lithuania, Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis announced, BNS reports. Speaking during a visit to Kyiv, Landsbergis said that one option would be to set up joint drone production in Lithuania. Earlier, the Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) announced plans to acquire reconnaissance drones within three years, BNS reported….