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An important U.S. promise: to do everything possible to ensure defence purchases are delivered to Lithuania on schedule

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-05-06
International cooperation

During the visit to the United States, Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas met with Director of the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) James Hursch Friday. Minister discussed with him Lithuania's major acquisitions from the United States and received an important promise that the DSCA would work to do everything possible to ensure defence deliveries from the U.S. would reach Lithuania on time.

"We spend one fourth of our defence budget on upgrading the Armed Forces. The financial U.S. assistance provided via different funds enables us to do even more. We are grateful to the DSCA for help with the acceleration of signatures of HIMARS, Switchblade and JLTV procurement contracts. Due to the complicated security situation in the region, we request again to see to a timely delivery of acquisitions to Lithuania, or even do so ahead of schedule whenever possible. It is a matter of importance to us," said Minister A. Anušauskas.

Lithuania has signed contracts worth of 1.3 billion U.S. dollars which makes us the largest buyer of American production in the Baltic states. Lithuania invites our Baltic neighbors to follow suit for the reasons of regional situation, interoperability and integration. The HIMARS system acquired by all the Baltic states is an excellent example of such cooperation.

The United States is one of the key Allies for the security of the Baltic region and one of Lithuania's partners in defence acquisitions. Aside from the HIMARS procurement agreement signed last year, Lithuania already had contracts with the United States Government on procurement of 500 Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, 4 Black Hawk helicopters and Switchblade drones. Lithuania has been a longstanding buyer of the Javelin anti-tank missile systems and different communications equipment from the U.S.

Part of the capabilities are purchased through the U.S. Assistance Funds which accelerates capability development, ensures that NATO requirements are fulfilled and common NATO and U.S. standards are met, as well as gaining from the expertise of our partners. Focusing acquisitions on the United States ensures quick delivery of additional equipment in the case of emergency and pre-trained personnel to use it.