Saab Bags New €105m MSHORAD Order From Lithuania

Swedish defence firm Saab has backed up its July deal to supply Lithuania with its Mobile Short-Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) system with a further deal for the same kit worth an additional SEK 1.2 billion (roughly €105.5 million).

As per a recent press statement, the defence contractor will equip a second battery within the Lithuanian armed forces. The order includes RBS 70 NG mobile firing units, mobile versions of the firm's Giraffe 1X radar units and its Ground-Based Air Defence (GBAD) Command-and-Control (C2) system.

The deal is an extension of its SEK 1.3 billion (€114.5 million) contract announced in July to deliver an MSHORAD solution; delivery of the initial order is scheduled for 2025-27.

Saab will install its MSHORAD units on Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) manufactured by the U.S. company Oshkosh head of their delivery to the the Lithuanian armed forces. All the equipment is scheduled to be delivered between 2026 and 2029.

The JLTV is a light utility/combat multi-role vehicle developed for and widely used by the U.S. Army; by the start of 2022 America had ordered almost 20,000 JLTVs, the bulk of them for its land forces. In addition to Lithuania, Belgium, Brazil, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania and Slovenia currently use the Oshkosh vehicle and at least another four countries have placed future orders.

Görgen Johansson, head of dynamics at Saab, commented: “We are proud to continue supporting the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ short-range air defence capability. MSHORAD is a highly mobile solution which enables the user to quickly and effectively identify and counteract air threats,”

Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas described purchasing the Saab system as "highly necessary" and observed: "The acquisition of the Mobile Short-Range Air Defense System (MSHORAD) will enhance the Lithuanian military’s capability to counter potential enemy air attacks. The advantage of this system is its mobility.”

• You can read more details on the Saab website