VILNIUS, Lithuania – With the imminent arrival of President Joe Biden and leaders from 40 other countries for the highly anticipated NATO summit in Vilnius, Lithuania, a robust deployment of approximately 1,000 troops has been orchestrated to fortify the region, according to the Associated Press agency. Notably, the allies have furnished cutting-edge air defense systems, heretofore unseen in the Baltic countries.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda articulated the imperative of such defensive measures, stating, “It would be an act of utmost irresponsibility to leave our skies unprotected as President Biden and the leaders of 40 nations congregate.” Lithuania, Estonia, and Latvia, known collectively as the Baltic countries, consistently surpass the defense spending benchmarks set by NATO, allocating more than 2% of their GDP to fortification—a figure that surpasses the individual defense spending of most other alliance members.
However, for a region with a cumulative population of approximately 6 million, this allocation alone falls short of sustaining a substantial military presence, developing indigenous fighter aircraft, or procuring modernized air defense systems. In response, Germany has dispatched 12 Patriot systems, specifically designed to intercept ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and military aircraft.
In a coordinated effort, Spain has provided the NASAMS system, renowned for its advanced capabilities in air defense, while France has contributed the CAESAR self-propelled howitzers. Moreover, countries such as Finland, Denmark, and France have stationed military aircraft within Lithuania’s borders, enhancing the collective defense capabilities of the region. Additionally, the United Kingdom and France have furnished state-of-the-art anti-drone defenses.
Poland and Germany have augmented their presence with specialized helicopter units, primed for executing critical special operations. Furthermore, several nations have dispatched equipment designed to counteract potential chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear threats.
Nonetheless, the necessity to secure the airspace during the high-level summit underscores the urgent need for NATO to establish a permanent air defense infrastructure in the Baltic region. President Nauseda highlighted this imperative, expressing, “We are actively deliberating the post-summit scenario and collaborating with our allies to establish a rotational force dedicated to continuous air defense.”
As part of their comprehensive security measures, Lithuania has tripled the number of border guards patrolling their borders with Belarus and Russia for the summer season. Complementing these efforts, Latvia and Poland have deployed additional officers, and joint patrols comprising law enforcement personnel from both nations now oversee the streets of Vilnius.
The summit has also prompted Lithuania to reintroduce border controls at their frontiers with Poland and Latvia, prioritizing the safety and security of all attendees. These precautions underscore the gravity of the event and emphasize the collective determination to safeguard the summit proceedings from any potential threats.
The coordinated deployment of advanced air defense systems and military personnel by NATO allies highlights the resolute commitment to ensure the protection of leaders attending the Vilnius summit. As the world’s attention turns to this historic gathering, it serves as a clarion call for NATO to establish a sustainable, long-term air defense framework in the Baltic region, fortifying the alliance’s capabilities and guaranteeing the safety of its member states in an increasingly complex global security landscape.
