Lithuania has awarded Saab a Skr1.2bn ($116m) contract to deliver a second Mobile Short-Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) system.
Saab reported a record order intake of Skr40bn ($3.7bn) in Q2 2024, its second-highest quarter ever. Sales rose 22% to $1.4bn.
Lithuania supports air defence with Saab’s mobile solutions
Saab has secured an additional order from Lithuania for its Mobile Short-Range Air Defence (MSHORAD) system. This contract follows an initial order placed in July 2024 and will provide Lithuania’s armed forces with a second battery of mobile air defence capabilities. Deliveries are slated between 2026 and 2029.
The second procurement represents a deeper partnership between Lithuania and Saab, aiming to fortify the country’s ability to defend against short-range air threats. MSHORAD is a mobile system, which is especially important for Lithuania’s needs. With Lithuania bordering Belarus and located near Kaliningrad, a Russian exclave, the country needs to be protected from potential air incursions.
Highlighting the tense situation in the region, Germany has purchased 105 Leopard 2A8 tanks for €2.9bn ($3.1bn) to deploy as part of its permanent brigade in Lithuania. The tanks will support Panzerbrigade 45 on Nato’s eastern flank by 2027. In parallel, Lithuania has begun constructing its largest-ever military base at the Rūdninkai Training Area to house the German brigade, with a €125m project set for completion in 2025.
Lithuania’s defence strategy focuses on mobility and responsiveness
Görgen Johansson, head of Saab’s Dynamics division, highlighted the importance of this deal in Saab’s ongoing partnership with Lithuania. “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,” said Johansson. The system’s mobility is key to its value, allowing it to deploy and reposition as required in high-threat environments rapidly.
Lithuanian Minister of National Defense, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, emphasised the significance of the acquisition in Lithuania’s defence strategy. “The acquisition of the Mobile Short-Range Air Defence System will enhance the Lithuanian military’s capability to counter potential enemy air attacks. The advantage of this system is its mobility, making it an essential system for Lithuania,” he said.
The MSHORAD system’s mobility is enhanced by Saab’s integration of its technology with Joint Light Tactical Vehicles produced by Oshkosh, a US-based company. This combination of Saab’s radar and missile capabilities with Oshkosh’s transport vehicles ensures that the Lithuanian military can efficiently deploy and manoeuvre their air defence assets across terrains.
Technology for modern air defence
At the core of MSHORAD are Saab’s Giraffe 1X radar and RBS 70 NG missile systems, recognised for detecting and neutralising various airborne threats, including drones, helicopters, and low-flying aircraft. The Giraffe 1X radar, mounted on the Mobile Radar Unit, offers 360-degree situational awareness, while the RBS 70 NG, housed in the Mobile Firing Unit, provides a missile solution capable of engaging targets under various conditions. All these components are networked via Saab’s GBAD Command and Control system, ensuring coordination between radar, firing, and control units.
This integration makes the MSHORAD system a solution for Lithuania, providing both offence and defence in an evolving security environment. The growing importance of short-range air defence is evident as Nato allies seek to counter increasing aerial threats from hostile Eastern European actors.
Sweden, a NATO neighbour, recently invested $28.5m in Saab’s MSHORAD. The contract, running from 2024 to 2026, will see MSHORAD integrated into the BvS10 armoured vehicle.
