Lithuania acquires new counter-battery radars from Netherlands

Lithuania acquires Thales GM200 MM/C radar systems in a deal with the Netherlands Ministry of Defence. (Ministry of National Defence of the Republic of Lithuania)

Lithuania has acquired new Thales Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radars (GM200 MM/C) to strengthen its artillery capabilities.

The deal, struck between the Lithuanian and Netherlands ministries of defence, is valued at EUR126.7 million (USD138.6 million) for an undisclosed number of GM200 MM/C radar systems, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced on 3 January.

The first radar will be delivered in 2026, the announcement added.

A spokesperson for the MND was unable to detail to Janes the number of radars being acquired for security reasons, although they noted that the radars are a new capability for the armed forces, which are not replacing any existing in-service equipment.

According to the Minister of National Defence, Arvydas Anušauskas, the radars are a very important purchase, which will bolster the military's artillery capabilities as it can determine the position of indirect fire systems.

A logistics package is also included as part of the deal, comprising test equipment, spare parts, and technical personnel. An opportunity to co-operate on the maintenance of multifunctional radars and the potential involvement of the Lithuanian defence industry in the implementation of similar projects is also being considered, the announcement noted.