Germany's Patriot system to be moved from Slovakia to Lithuania to protect NATO Summit in Vilnius

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

26.05.2023

The two German batteries of the Patriot missile interceptor system currently stationed in Slovakia will move to Lithuania to protect the NATO Summit in Vilnius. This decision has been made following consultations to make efficient use of allied systems and move them where they are needed the most. Clearly, Lithuania has no such capability of its own and NATO troops there are not involved to the extent they are in Slovakia.

Defence Minister Martin Sklenár said: "The repositioning of the weapons system comes as a natural part of developments after a responsible assessment of the security situation. As with the swift and major strengthening of Slovakia's air defences by our allies last spring, there is now a need for allied systems to be moved to Vilnius, whilst it holds true that the Alliance guarantees and actually secures the defence of every inch of Alliance territory and of its populations."

The head of the SVK MOD emphasised that safeguarding SVK airspace remains a priority. In addition to SVK GBAD systems, Slovakia is protected by an Italian SAMP/T missile system and air defence assets of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup Slovakia (NATO MN BG SVK). In just a matter of weeks, Slovakia will receive the MANTIS system from Germany as a gift to protect its defence infrastructure in the east of the country. The MOD is in negotiations with allies and partners on the options to further strengthen Slovakia's air defences.

The joint DEU-SVK action will appreciably add to the security of the NATO Summit in Vilnius. Several countries are involved in putting the necessary security measures in place for this high visibility event. NATO's air and missile defence will be high on the agenda of the summit in Vilnius.