On July 6 A Dutch ship piered at Klaipėda Seaport bringing the Patriot long-range air defense system for deployment at the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai for Baltic Connection 24 (BALTCON24) training cycle. BALTCON24 will be conducted by the Lithuanian Air Force Air Defence Battalion with the NASAMS medium-range air defense systems, the Patriot air defense system of the Royal Netherlands Air Force, Spanish and Portuguese fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Police Mission in the Baltic states, Air Operations Centre of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and Lithuanian Air Force aircraft. The BALTCON24 readiness cycle will use aircraft, helicopter, fighter aircraft and drone activity simulations to hone force redeployment and integration, unified command and control and air defense operations aiming for better identification of hostile aircraft identification. If the training events proves a success, it will be repeated.
“The Battalion is vastly experienced in working with air defense personnel from this Ally, we have trained in numerous exercise sin the Netherlands. We are particularly delighted to host them in Lithuania at last to strengthen air defense in the eastern flank of NATO together with the NASAMS Battery of the Air Defence Battalion, familiarize with climate in Lithuania, terrain and operating procedures. The Lithuanian Air Forces Air Operations Centre will incorporate the Patriot squadron into the integrated air defense system allowing us to train side by side with the Air Policing capabilities not just air policing but also air defense tasks. Our priority is a clockwork reception of Allied air defense units and a swift integration of their systems in necessary,” said Commander of the Air Defence Battalion Lt Col Ovidijus Pilitauskas welcoming the Dutch troops.
“We have been witnessing quite numerous violations of NATO airspace, which is why is it necessary to have a fine-tuned NATO collective defense, including air defense. There are strong bonds formed between the Lithuanian and the Dutch and this exercise is crucial for strengthening the collective air defense in the eastern flank,” said Major Kevin representing the system the Royal Netherlands Air Force squadron under his command had brought.
“The Patriot long-range air and missile defense system deployed from the Netherlands with staff to train in the Baltic Connection 24 readiness event is a strong basis to begin the implementation of the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model in full scope as soon as possible. Patriot deployment in Lithuania is an excellent example to other Allies and firm step towards implementing the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model in this part of Europe. I hope cooperation of such format with the Netherlands will also continue in the future,” says Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas says.
The decision to arrange a bilateral exercise was taken at the NATO Military Committee meeting this January attend by Chief of Defence Gen V. Rupšys and Chief of Defence of the Netherlands Gen O. Eichelscheim. Deployment of the Patriot air defense system for a bilateral exercise in Lithuania is the first step towards practical implementation of the Rotational Air Defence Model decided on at the NATO Summit in Vilnius last year in order to strengthen the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence. NATO Heads of States agreed on the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model at the NATO Summit in Vilnius aiming to strengthen the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence and enable a smooth transition to air defense tasks. The Model would be operational alongside the NATO Air Policing Mission and provide to Allies defined principles for rotational deployments and integration of ground-based, missile defense systems and additional aircraft starting with the eastern flank of NATO. IT will enable building readiness for air defense tasks, improve level of readiness of the air capabilities and overall interoperability.
