Lithuania accelerates air defense modernization with acquisition of more SAAB RBS 70 NG missile systems.

Lithuania has ordered a third MSHORAD short-range air defense system from Saab Dynamics, worth more than 119 million euros. The purchase expands Lithuania's low altitude protection at a time when NATO border states are racing to counter fast-growing drone and missile threats.

Lithuania is moving to tighten its air defense posture, announcing a new order for a third Saab Dynamics MSHORAD system in a contract valued at more than 119 million euros, according to a December 1, 2025, statement from the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense. Officials said the package builds on earlier purchases and reflects operational lessons from the region, where small drones, cruise missiles, and rapid maneuvering aircraft have become constant concerns along NATO's eastern flank. Deliveries are scheduled from 2026 to 2029, a timeline the ministry described as critical for sustaining readiness while broader European air defense programs continue to mature.
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Lithuanian Armed Forces' JLTV 4x4 armored vehicle equipped with the RBS 70 NG surface-to-air missile launcher station, enhancing mobile air defense capabilities as part of the newly acquired MSHORAD system. (Picture source: Lithuania MoD)

The newly ordered system includes Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar, the RBS 70 NG laser‑guided surface-to-air missile launcher, and a fully integrated fire command and control suite. According to pictures released by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, the RBS 70 NG components of the MSHORAD system will be mounted on JLTV vehicles, providing a marked increase in mobility and enabling rapid redeployment amid changing operational conditions. The imagery underscores Lithuania’s intention to field an air defense asset that can move with frontline units rather than remain confined to static sites.

Lithuania is preparing a separate integration contract, estimated at approximately 11 million euros, to formalize the installation of radar and missile elements on JLTV platforms. This approach reflects a straightforward modernization priority in which mobility, repositioning speed, and survivability are becoming central elements of air defense planning. The ministry’s release indicates that the JLTV‑mounted configuration is expected to enhance operational responsiveness once integration is completed.

At the center of the system is the Giraffe 1X radar, a compact X‑band 3D AESA surveillance radar engineered for detecting low‑flying threats. It provides 360‑degree coverage with a detection range beyond 75 kilometers, making it highly effective against drones, loitering munitions, helicopters, and cruise missiles operating at low altitude. Its lightweight design supports mobile deployment, and its rapid target-update rate enables timely cueing for the missile launcher.

The RBS 70 NG missile launcher complements the radar with a laser beam‑riding guidance system that is resistant to electronic interference and decoy flares. With an effective range of up to 9 kilometers and altitude engagement above 5 kilometers, the system can intercept fixed‑wing aircraft, rotary‑wing platforms, and small unmanned aerial vehicles. Equipped with an integrated thermal sight and automatic tracking, it maintains its performance in night operations and degraded weather environments. Mounted on a JLTV 4x4 armored vehicle, as seen in the ministry’s photographs, the launcher enables swift movement between defensive positions, supporting Lithuania’s emphasis on mobile force protection.

By acquiring a third MSHORAD system, Lithuania continues to strengthen its layered air defense posture and reinforce NATO’s northeastern defensive architecture. The combination of JLTV mobility, modern radar performance, and laser‑guided missile precision positions the Lithuanian Armed Forces to respond more effectively to the evolving aerial threat landscape characteristic of modern conflicts.

Written by Alain Servaes – Chief Editor, Army Recognition Group
Alain Servaes is a former infantry non-commissioned officer and the founder of Army Recognition. With over 20 years in defense journalism, he provides expert analysis on military equipment, NATO operations, and the global defense industry.