Patriot missile system deployed in Lithuania

Long-range air defense missile system Patriot was deployed in Lithuania on Monday amid tensions in the region, announced the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.

The long-range air defense missile system has been brought to Lithuania for the military exercise Tobruq Legacy 2017. The air defense training is to take place in Siauliai, northern Lithuania, from July 11-22.

According to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry, around 500 soldiers and 30 air defense systems from Lithuania, Britain, the United States, Latvia and Poland are to train the interoperability of NATO's ground based air defense units.

It's the first time the United States deploys the Patriot in Lithuania, the Eastern flank country of NATO.

Air defense is one of the weakest points of the Baltic countries' defense, according to local media. Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia currently have only short-range air defense systems.

Deployment of the Patriot missile system and holding air defense exercise in Lithuania come amid increased security tensions in the Eastern Europe.

Lithuania, a Baltic country, cites the upcoming military exercise Zapad 2017 between Belarus and Russia and militarization by its borders as the main sources of security threats.