Latvia to provide Ukraine with new package of military assistance: What is included
The Latvian government has approved the provision of a new package of military assistance to Ukrainian defenders. It will include drones and anti-aircraft defense, reports Latvian Prime Minister Eviķa Siliņa on Twitter (X).
"The government has just approved the transfer of NBS anti-aircraft guns, tactical unmanned surveillance systems, and other necessary materials to the Ukrainian armed forces. This will help improve both Ukraine's anti-aircraft defense and its reconnaissance capabilities," wrote the head of the Latvian government.
She emphasized that Russia is currently the biggest security threat worldwide. Therefore, Latvia allocates 0.25% of its GDP annually to military assistance for Ukraine.
"We will continue to support Ukraine both on a bilateral basis and together with our allies," Siliņa added.
NBS MANTIS
The Prime Minister did not specify which specific anti-aircraft guns Ukraine will receive, but most likely, it refers to the NBS MANTIS.
This is a stationary short-range air defense system designed to protect against missile, mortar, and artillery attacks. Additionally, the anti-aircraft gun is capable of destroying enemy drones.
This anti-aircraft system was developed by the German defense conglomerate Rheinmetall. It was planned to defend military bases.
The maximum firing range of the anti-aircraft gun is 5 kilometers.
Back in October of last year, Slovakia decided to deploy NBS MANTIS on the border with Ukraine.