Lithuania signs contract to buy Stinger missile systems
VILNIUS, Nov 13 (AFP) - 12:06 GMT - NATO hopeful Lithuania said on Wednesday it had signed a contract with the United States to buy its Stinger anti-aircraft missile system for 31 million dollars (euros).
Under the contract, signed by Lithuanian Defence Minister Linas Linkevicius and the US ambassador to the Baltic country John Teft, Lithuania will receive 60 missiles and eight launching mechanisms.
The money will be paid over three years.
Linkevicius said that as well as the Stingers Lithuania would also receive two radars, Hummer vehicles and other equipment.
Teft welcomed Lithuania's decision to buy the US system.
"With the obtaining of Stingers you get the best short-range air defence system, which fully meets NATO requirements," he said.
Lithuania, which expects to get an invitation to join NATO at its November 21-22 Prague summit, is the first NATO candidate country to obtain the Stinger system.
Last December Lithuania signed an agreement with the US for the purchase of Javelin medium range anti-tank missiles for 9.1 million dollars. Under the contract Javelins should reach Lithuania by 2004.