Lithuania strengthens fleet after Russian provocations: country will purchase ships from Norway

In response to hybrid threats from the Russian Federation in the Baltic Sea, Lithuania is stepping up its defense modernization.

Lithuania has announced plans to purchase multi-purpose warships from Norway. This was stated by the country’s Defense Minister Dovile Šakalienė, writes “European Pravda”.

“We are working very intensively, assessing our capabilities to purchase ships from Norway, certain proposals are currently being considered, Norway is also evaluating ship models, how this process could progress further,” Šakalienė noted.

According to her, the final decision is planned to be made by the end of the year. Lithuania believes that this will significantly strengthen the country’s defense capabilities and create additional opportunities for cooperation in the defense industry.

As USM reported, the day before, Russia detained a tanker that left an Estonian port.

Before that, the Estonian Navy tried to arrest a Russian tanker under sanctions that was passing near submarine cables. The incident is interesting because it was the first time a Russian fighter jet entered NATO airspace to “protect” its ship. NATO fighters also took to the air.