Lithuanian Air Force to buy new fighters

on http://www.BAHA.be,in a special about the Belgian Air Component operations in the baltics, in a conversation with a BAC F-16 pilot, Lithuanian president Valdas Adamkus, has told that the LAF would buy a new fighter jet to provide its own air policing force

Since BAHA’s last visit at Siauliai in July 2004 the Lithuanian Air Force has started a modernisation programme to bring their hardware closer to NATO standards and therefore are gradually withdrawing from use a number of former Russian aircraft and helicopters, the replacement of which is now starting. It is also planned that by the 2011/2012 timeframe the Baltic States will be able to provide their own air-cover with a fighter type yet to be selected and acquired.

i suspect they are going for 4 to 8 aircraft, cause to me that would be enough to provide cover for all 3 countries, so my guess is there going to go for new aircraft such as the F-16C, JAS-39C, Eurofighter, F/A-18E/F or for more cheaper second hand fighters such as the Mirage 2000, F-16AM/BM, F/A-18A/B, F-5E. another option would be cheaper, trainer derivatives such as the Hawk 100 series, M-346, PC-9M. i guess we just have to wait until about 2011/12 to see.