“Finland understands the necessity of these ships for Lithuania hence the negotiations are progressing very fast. We plan to sign a sale/purchase contract as early as by the end of this month,” the press release from the ministry quoted Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas as saying.
Patrol ships would contribute to the strengthening of comprehensive defense, fill the gap in the Lithuanian Navy’s ability to operate in the Curonian Lagoon and increase Lithuania's coastal surveillance capabilities, he added.
The vessels will perform defense functions in the Curonian Lagoon, the harbor and the coastline and will replace one of the auxiliary ships currently used by the Lithuanian Navy for harbor surveillance, which, however, is technically and morally obsolete.