The Netherlands took a decision to send the Patriot long-range air defence system to Lithuania to an exercise for several weeks. The Dutch unit will be training side by side with Lithuanian Armed Forces units.
“Deployment of the Dutch Patriot system in our country is excellent news. Exercises of such character support implementation of the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model approved at the NATO Summit in Vilnius. We are thankful to the Netherlands for consistently contributing to the Baltic, and especially Lithuania’s security. Deployment of Dutch servicemembers to the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group Lithuania, Baltic Air Policing Mission, NATO Force Integration Unit is vital for the Baltic states’ security. This step is also a boost to our cooperation on air defence,” said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas.
Minister Kajsa Ollongren is cited in a press release by the Ministry of Defence of the Netherlands as saying that deployment of a Dutch unit to an exercise in Lithuania will contribute to the NATO air defence readiness. “It is an important signal to our eastern Allies: you can rely on the Netherlands including concerning air defence,” she said.
The exercise will take place this summer to train no-notice redeployment of air defence units and systems and integrate the smoothly for air defence tasks.
NATO took the decision on the Rotational Air Defence Model at the Vilnius Summit last year in order to strengthen the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. The Model enables to rehearse a smooth and quick transition to air defence tasks at peacetime training and to strengthen deterrence and defence in air domain. The Rotational Air Defence Model will coexist with the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states.
Lithuania actively advocates as frequent as possible deployments and exercises of Allied aircraft and ground-based air defence systems to Lithuania in the Rotational Air Defence model framework.
Photo courtesy of the ministry of Defence of the Netherlands