Lithuania orders Saab mobile air-defence systems

The Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency has ordered Saab Dyanamics' MSHORAD systems, to be installed on JLTVs. (Saab Dynamics)

The Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency has ordered Saab Dyanamics' mobile short-range air-defence (MSHORAD) system, the Ministry of National Defence (MND) of Lithuania and the Swedish company announced on 9 July. The order is valued at EUR147 million (USD159 million), with deliveries planned for 2025–27.

Saab said in a press release that the order was part of a framework agreement between it, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and the Lithuanian MND.

The order includes mobile fire units (MFUs) based on the Giraffe 1X radar, mobile radar units (MRUs) based on the RBS 70 NG missile, a command-and-control (C2) system, a training package, and the RBS 70 NG trainer. Saab will integrate MSHORAD into Joint Light and Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) before delivery to Lithuania.

Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas noted that MSHORAD is designed to ensure the protection of facilities, areas, and critical infrastructure. It is expected to strengthen the Lithuanian Armed Forces' capabilities to counter enemy air-to-ground attacks.

MSHORAD fires Bolide laser-guided, jamming-resistant missiles, which the Lithuanian Armed Forces operates along with the older generation RBS 70 air-defence system, according to the Lithuanian MND.

The FMV ordered four MSHORAD systems for Sweden during the fourth quarter of 2023 to investigate the possibility of increasing the system's mobility and improving protection against air threats by integrating the missile and sensor units on a tracked vehicle. The agency ordered two systems with three RBS 70 NG missiles mounted on the roof of the Bv410 and two with four ready-to-launch IRIS-T missiles on the back of the all-terrain vehicle (ATV), designated Eldenhet (EldE) 98 or Fire Unit 98 in Swedish Army service.