NATO moves missiles closer to Russian borders

NATO moves missiles closer to Russian borders

NATO countries use a rotational air defense model in Lithuania. Patriot anti-aircraft missile systems will be deployed there.

Thus, Lithuania will become the first Baltic state to have NATO rotational air defense forces. According to Newsweek , such actions by the alliance are a response to calls from the Baltic countries to strengthen Europe’s defense capabilities in the region.

Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas said at a press conference on Thursday that the air defense systems will go into operation this year.

During the Vilnius NATO summit, which took place in the summer of 2023, an agreement was reached to create a rotation system, within which the Alliance countries would deploy air defence systems in the Baltic countries for a certain period of time.

Anusauskas did not say which Western countries were taking part in the first round of air defense deployment in Lithuania, but said the equipment included Patriot air defence systems.

“It is expected that this principle will not be a one-time thing in a few months, but will cover all calendar months and significantly increase our air defence capabilities,” he said.