Lithuania to install additional radar on Belarusian border

The Ministry of Defence of Lithuania announced its decision to purchase an additional long range radar.

It will be installed in the Ignalina district near the border with Belarus. Other two radars, which were planned to be bought earlier, will be installed in the Silute district (in western Lithuania, on the seacoast) and the Prienai district (in the south), Interfax reports.

“The changes in the security situation propose new solutions. We shouldn't rely only on the help from our allies, but we also should take measures to strengthen responsibility for our own security. The updated decision of political parties on increasing expenditures on defence give the necessary backgrounds,” Lithuanian minister of defence Juozas Olekas said.

The three new radars will replace the old long range radars P-18 and P-37, which were produced in Russia in 1971—1983.

The Defence Ministry's press release says the new equipment will strengthen the air defence system and improve the security of NATO's eastern borders.

Three air defence stations will be fully upgraded in 2019. The project costs about 200mn litas.