Lithuania Strengthens NATO Air Surveillance with New US-Made AN/TPS-77 MRR Mobile Radars.

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence announced that the Lithuanian Armed Forces have begun integrating mobile US-made AN/TPS-77 Multi-Role Radars (MRR) into the national air surveillance network. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin under a September 2023 Foreign Military Sales contract valued at over $52 million, these 3D tactical radar systems are designed to feed real-time target tracking data to NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence System. The deployment enhances early warning coverage along NATO’s eastern flank following increased regional security concerns and airspace incursions.

Featuring an instrumented range of up to 463 kilometers and multi-mission 360-degree coverage, the US-made AN/TPS-77 Multi-Role Radars (MRRs) feed long-range and low-altitude target tracking into BALTNET and NATO air surveillance networks. (Picture source: Lithuanian MoD)

Lithuania has begun integrating US-made AN/TPS-77 Multi-Role Radars (MRR) into its national air surveillance network, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence announced on October 20, 2026. Manufactured by Lockheed Martin, the mobile radars have already been delivered and are undergoing installation. They are intended to provide real-time surveillance data to NATO's Integrated Air and Missile Defence System, strengthening the Alliance's ability to detect and track aerial activity along its eastern flank. The ministry has not disclosed how many systems have been delivered or when they will achieve full operational capability.

The acquisition comes as Lithuania faces growing air security concerns linked to Russian military activity in the Kaliningrad region and neighbouring Belarus. On September 14–15, 2026, an explosive-carrying drone entered Lithuanian airspace from the direction of Belarus before being intercepted by Italian Eurofighter aircraft conducting NATO's air policing mission. Lithuania's 2026 National Threat Assessment also identified continuing Russian military expansion, including the formation of a new Iskander-M missile brigade in the Leningrad Military District. These developments underline the importance of early warning, reliable aerial tracking and coordination between national and allied air defence assets.

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The radar acquisition dates back to September 28, 2023, when the US Air Force awarded Lockheed Martin a $52.6 million contract for three AN/TPS-77 MRR systems for the Lithuanian Air Force. The agreement included operator training, spare parts and interim contractor support, with work scheduled in Liverpool, New York. Although Lithuania has confirmed the arrival of new radars, it has not established publicly whether all three systems covered by the original contract have been delivered.

The AN/TPS-77 MRR is a three-dimensional surveillance radar designed to detect and track aerial targets while providing information on their distance, direction and altitude. Its rotating antenna provides 360-degree coverage, while electronic scanning allows operators to adapt surveillance modes to different operational requirements. According to Lockheed Martin, the system offers an instrumented range of up to 463 kilometres in long-range surveillance mode. However, this figure should not be interpreted as the guaranteed detection distance for aircraft, cruise missiles or small drones, since actual performance depends on target characteristics, altitude, terrain and radar configuration.

One of the system's principal advantages is its ability to combine long-range surveillance with coverage optimized for low-altitude threats. Operators can assign different surveillance priorities to individual sectors, allowing the radar to respond to changing operational requirements. This flexibility is particularly relevant in the Baltic region, where military aircraft, unmanned systems and other aerial threats create different detection challenges. The system also uses gallium nitride technology, which Lockheed Martin associates with reduced power consumption and improved reliability.

Mobility provides an additional operational advantage. Unlike permanently installed surveillance radars, the AN/TPS-77 MRR can be repositioned to reinforce coverage in areas where additional monitoring is required. This capability can help Lithuania adapt its surveillance network to changing threat directions and operational priorities. However, radar coverage remains influenced by terrain, deployment locations and the availability of communications and supporting infrastructure. Small drones flying at very low altitude can remain difficult to detect, particularly when terrain or other obstacles restrict radar visibility.

The new Lithuanian radars will also contribute to NATO's wider surveillance architecture. Through existing regional cooperation, including the Baltic Air Surveillance Network and Control System (BALTNET), Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia exchange air surveillance information to support a shared operational picture. Latvia has operated AN/TPS-77 MRR technology since 2018, providing an example of how mobile surveillance capabilities can complement fixed radar infrastructure. Integrating Lithuania's new systems should improve the availability and continuity of radar information used by national and allied commanders.

From an operational perspective, the principal contribution of these radars is to strengthen early warning and provide additional information for air defence decision-making. Earlier detection of approaching aircraft or other aerial threats can give commanders more time to assess the situation, identify potential targets and coordinate available responses. Nevertheless, the AN/TPS-77 MRR is a surveillance system rather than an interception capability. Its contribution against drones or cruise missiles depends on detection conditions and integration with other sensors and defensive assets. Although Lithuania also faces a potential ballistic missile threat from Russian Iskander-M systems, the specific performance of its AN/TPS-77 MRR radars against such missiles has not been publicly established.

The deployment forms part of Lithuania's broader effort to strengthen air defence capabilities as Russia continues its war against Ukraine and NATO reinforces its eastern flank. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas announced that additional contracts would be signed before the end of 2026 to improve the detection and neutralization of aerial threats. For Lithuania, the significance of the new AN/TPS-77 MRR radars extends beyond their individual technical performance: their integration into national and NATO networks should reinforce regional surveillance, improve early warning and support faster coordination of allied air defence operations.

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