NATO Take-Over: US to Deploy Its Military Hardware in Lithuania

Sputnik News

15:41 03.12.2015(updated 15:44 03.12.2015)

The United States will deploy about 200 pieces of military equipment in Lithuania for training purposes, according to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.

At least 200 pieces of US military hardware will be stationed in Lithuania for upcoming drills with Lithuanian troops, the country's Defense Ministry said.

The ministry added that later in December, about 50 units of US military equipment, including Abrams main battle tanks and Bradley infantry fighting vehicles, will be stationed at Lithuania's Mumaiciai district, as part of the so-called European Activity Set.

According to the Defense Ministry, a decision to store the US equipment in Mumaiciai was followed by the refurbishment of hangars where the equipment will be kept and the tightening of security of the area.

Earlier, the Ambassador of France in Lithuania Philippe Jeantaud offered Vilnius to send Lithuanian troops to Africa so that they could replace their French counterparts there.

Jeantaud said that the Lithuanian forces could take part in the operation in the Sahel region, as well as the EU's and UN's operations in Mali, Central African Republic and Chad. According to the ambassador, talks to this effect with the Lithuanian side continue in a 'positive atmosphere.'

Late last month, Lithuania's Defense Minister, Juozas Olekas, urged NATO to deploy more troops in the Baltic region, after his meeting with the Supreme Allied Commander of the US European Command, Philip Mark Breedlove, in the capital Vilnius.

Olekas claimed said that regional security would only be maintained with a long-term and continuous presence of NATO weaponry and equipment.

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