IRIA News

Lithuania has officially signed a $495 million contract with the United States to procure eight Lockheed Martin-built M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS), the Lithuanian Defense Ministry announced.

The deal was signed during the meeting between Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd J Austin on December 15 at the Pentagon.

“This is a huge step for our armed forces,” Anušauskas said in Washington. He said the acquisition of the long-range rocket system is a new step towards a stronger Lithuanian military capability as it will significantly enhance the defensive power of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The first systems would reach Lithuania in 2025.

The signed M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) acquisition contract covers the procurement of eight launchers, 36 M30A2 guided multiple launch rocket system (GMLRS) alternative warhead missile pods with insensitive munitions propulsion systems and 36 M31A2 GMLRS unitary high explosive missile pods, eighteen M57 Army Tactical Missile Systems (ATACMS) missile pods with an effective range of 300 kilometers.

The sale of weapons systems “will contribute to Lithuania’s military goals of updating its capability while further
enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies” the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in its statement. “Lithuania intends to use these defense articles and services to modernize its armed forces and expand its capability to strengthen its homeland defense and deter regional threats” it added.

Lithuania also procures training and system maintenance equipment, services for personnel training, system integration, and connection with the NATO Integrated Air and Missile Defence System (NATINAMDS). With the signing of the acquisition of this crucial system has been concluded, “Now our talks with the U.S. proceed to address HIMARS integration – personnel training, maintenance” the Lithuanian defense minister said.

U.S. Defense Secretary Austin lauded Lithuania’s robust defense spending and welcomed the country’s investment in new capabilities like the HIMARS. During the meeting, the two leaders discussed the strength of the U.S.-Lithuania defense relationship and ongoing efforts to support Ukraine. They also discussed shared security interests in Europe, including NATO’s deterrence and defense posture, and cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region. Secretary Austin and Minister Anušauskas also exchanged views on Russia’s cruel and unprovoked invasion of Ukraine. Austin thanked Lithuania for its substantial contribution to Ukrainian security.

Secretary Austin and Minister Anušauskas agreed to continue cooperation to deepen the bilateral defense and security relationship and prepare for the NATO Summit in Vilnius in July 2023.

HIMARS system

Besides Lithuania, the other two Baltic states — Latvia and Estonia — have also announced plans to acquire HIMARS systems. The procurement will bring a total of 20 HIMARS systems in the Baltic states that are playing a crucial role in protecting the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) north-eastern flank during the Russia-Ukraine war. Latvia and Estonia that border Russia have been on the frontlines of Russian aggression for a long time.

“It is particularly important that the HIMARS is procured by all the Baltic states. We have been and we will be actively collaborating with Latvia and Estonia in developing this capability and enhancing the security of the whole region.  The first HIMARS deliveries are scheduled to take place in 2015,” the Lithuanian defense minister said.

On December 3, Estonia also announced that it has signed a contract with the U.S. DSCA for the procurement of six HIMARS Multiple Launch Rocket Systems (MLRSs) worth US$200 million.

The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is a long-range, mobile, precision fire launcher interoperable with C2 systems. It is described by the U.S. military as a full-spectrum, combat-proven, all-weather, 24/7, lethal and responsive, wheeled precision strike weapons system.  HIMARS is rapidly deployable by C-130, quickly enhancing combat effectiveness.