"We believe that it will reach Lithuania this year, presumably even this week," the minister told reporters after the governmental meeting at which Lithuanian defense expenditure had been discussed.

"It is important, since protection against the enemy's airborne attacks is one of the core elements of our defense system, that is why Lithuania purchases the systems," Olekas added.

The total value of the GROM acquisition project is more than 34 million euros (42 million U.S. dollars).