Since the Russian invasion of Ukraine, Lithuania has been very concerned about its security. As a consequence, the government in Vilnius wants to buy eight HIMARS multiple rocket launchers. So far, the weapon has enjoyed great success on the battlefields in Ukraine.
Against the background of the Russian war of aggression against Ukraine, Lithuania is continuing to arm itself: the Baltic EU and NATO country wants to purchase HIMARS multiple rocket launchers from the USA. As announced by the Ministry of Defense in Vilnius, the US State Department approved the planned purchase. Accordingly, Lithuania wants to acquire a total of eight missile systems with ammunition and equipment for the equivalent of around 493 million euros. According to the announcement, the purchase agreement is to be signed later this year.
Defense Minister Arvydas Anusauskas described the HIMARS systems as "an entirely new and powerful capability that Lithuania has never had". The country borders the Russian Baltic Sea exclave of Kaliningrad and Russia's ally Belarus. The war in Ukraine is seen as a direct threat to national security in the Baltic state.
According to Anusauskas, the missile systems should be delivered in a few years. "We won't get them until 2025 or 2026," he said in the Vilnius parliament, according to Lithuanian media reports. Therefore, the purchase will have no impact on further arms deliveries to Ukraine, which are currently being discussed in Lithuania.
The HIMARS system comes from the forge of Lockheed Martin. The launch battery can be equipped with six guided artillery rockets that can fly up to 300 kilometers. According to the US Army, the carrier vehicle can accelerate to 94 kilometers per hour. Washington has already delivered several HIMARS to Ukraine since the summer, which is using the system with great success against Russian associations.
