Lithuania has concluded a €320 million contract with Sweden’s Saab for the procurement of RBS 70 Bolide short-range air defense missiles, according to the Ministry of National Defence. The agreement highlights Vilnius’s intensified efforts to reinforce national airspace security amid rising military pressure along NATO’s eastern flank.
Announced on December 31, 2025, the deal ranks among Lithuania’s largest air defense investments and is intended to rapidly enhance protection against low-altitude aerial threats. Officials said the acquisition will strengthen both national and allied defensive posture in an increasingly contested regional environment.
The purchase falls under a trilateral framework agreement involving Saab, the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV), and the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, ensuring long-term supply continuity and sustainment of Saab’s short-range air defense systems. Missile deliveries are scheduled to commence in 2028 and continue through 2032.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Robertas Kaunas described the agreement as a strategic priority, noting that the procurement is designed to guarantee uninterrupted ammunition availability for the armed forces. Lithuania has operated the RBS 70 system since 2004, valuing its mobility, robustness, and laser beam-riding guidance, which provides high resistance to jamming and countermeasures.
The Bolide missile represents the most advanced evolution of the RBS 70 family, offering higher speed, extended engagement range, and improved lethality. With the ability to engage targets up to 9 km away and at altitudes reaching 5 km, the system is designed to counter aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and cruise missiles, significantly strengthening Lithuania’s short-range air defense capability.
