The Netherlands will deploy a Patriot long-range air defense system in Lithuania for several weeks this summer, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense announced on Friday. Together with the Lithuanian armed forces, the Dutch military unit will engage in military drills.
“The deployment of Dutch Patriot systems in our country is excellent news… We thank the Netherlands for its continuous contribution to the security of the Baltic region, and especially Lithuania,” emphasized Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas, as quoted in the statement.
The minister highlighted that “such exercises contribute to the implementation of the rotational model of NATO air defense, approved at the summit in Vilnius.”
The Dutch Minister of Defense, Kajsa Ollongren, was the first to announce the deployment of the Patriot system to Lithuania on the X portal.
In early March, former Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas announced that rotational air defense would be launched later this year and Patriot air defense systems would be deployed in Lithuania.
The minister highlighted that “such exercises contribute to the implementation of the rotational model of NATO air defense, approved at the summit in Vilnius.”
The Dutch Minister of Defense, Kajsa Ollongren, was the first to announce the deployment of the Patriot system to Lithuania on the X portal.
NATO countries agreed on the rotational air defense model in June of last year in response to calls from Baltic states to strengthen the ongoing 20-year NATO Air Policing mission.Schendingen van het @NATO-luchtruim aan de oostflank dwingen ons om paraat te blijven. Defensie stuurt een Patriot-eenheid enkele weken naar Litouwen voor een oefening. Dit draagt direct bij aan onze gereedheid en stelt onze bondgenoten gerust. #WeAreNATO pic.twitter.com/1wUiiJam0k
— Kajsa Ollongren (@DefensieMin) March 28, 2024
In early March, former Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas announced that rotational air defense would be launched later this year and Patriot air defense systems would be deployed in Lithuania.
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