Patriot missiles in the Baltic states

Take note – story published 6 years ago

The United States has deployed Patriot missiles to the Baltic states for the first time ever, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry confirmed July 10. 

"On July 10 the United States of America is for the first deploying [the] Patriot long-range missile system in Lithuania. The deployment demonstrates the steadfast U.S. commitment to the security of Lithuania and its high readiness to send strategic capabilities to the region," a statement by the ministry said.

The Patriot will be operating in one pool with Lithuanian and other NATO allies’ air defence systems during Exercise Tobruq Legacy 2017, multinational ground based air defense units' exercise being for the first time held in Lithuania.

"The exercise will train interoperability among NATO ground based air defense units and refine airspace command and control procedures. The exercise aims at enhancing regional and international integration of joint units thus training and strengthening preparedness for a potential NATO collective defense scenario," the ministry said.

Exercise Tobruq Legacy 2017 begins on July 11 to run until July 22 in Šiauliai district, northern Lithuania close to the Latvian border. The event will involve roughly 500 soldiers and 30 air defence systems of Lithuania and four more NATO allies – the United Kingdom, the U.S., Poland and Latvia.

The Patriot is a surface-to-air missile defense system that manufacturer Raytheon claims has downed more than 100 targets in the last two years alone. 13 different nations currently have Patriot systems among their arsenals.

Poland recently announced a deal to purchase the system from the U.S. An advertisement for the system is below.

 

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