Air defence: US confirmed AMRAAM missiles sales to Lithuania

The purchase for the Lithuanian Armed Forces is planned to comprise 36 AMRAAM missiles and related technical equipment and services.

“Continue ensuring the Lithuanian Armed Forces have sufficient ammunition. The AMRAAM missiles will be used with our NASAMS mid-range air defence system. The advanced ammunition will improve the Lithuanian Armed Forces capability to execute defence tasks and fortify interoperability with the United States and other NATO Allies who use this equipment,” says Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas.

The ammunition is manufactured by the U.S. company Raytheon (RTX).

The United States is one of the key Allies for the security of the Baltic region, as well as one of Lithuania’s main partners in defence acquisitions. The contract for purchasing the HIMARS system was signed last year, it was also preceded by contracts for buying 500 JLTV Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, 4 Black Hawk helicopters, and Switchblade drones. Lithuania has also been a U.S. client in buying the Javelin anti-tank missile systems and various communications equipment for many years.

Part of the capabilities are acquired with support of the U.S. assistance funds in order to ensure a quicker capability development, fulfilment of NATO commitments and maintenance of mutual NATO and U.S. standards – as well as to benefit from the expertise of the partners. Acquisitions from the Unite States ensure that in the vent of emergency additional equipment would be at the ready, as well as personnel trained to use it.