Lithuania receives new shipment of Javelin anti-tank missiles from the United States

“Having the system is not enough; you also need a sufficient amount of missiles to constitute deterrence. This purchase, which has just been delivered from the United States, significantly contributes to strengthening Lithuania’s defensive capabilities and increasing the capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces for the long haul. It is a timely step that reflects the geopolitical situation,” said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas.

The Javelin mid-range anti-tank system is a modern weapon capable of destroying contemporary tanks with reactive armour 75 m to 2.5 km away during both day and night. It is a fire-and-forget system: when the operator locks on a target and fires, the missile sustains the flight until the target is hit. This way, personnel safety is improved because the crew is able to change positions while the missile travels. The Javelin tandem warhead can attack the target head-on or downwards from up to 150 metres, striking the tank on its weak spot, the turret. The soft launch system ignites the engine only after the missile leaves the launcher, thus concealing the exact point of firing.

The United States is contributing to the Assurance Measures in the Baltic states and strengthening regional security and stability. It actively contributes military personnel, equipment, and finance in support of our defence. The financial assistance for strengthening defensive capabilities and improving the military infrastructure of European Allies, including Lithuania, rendered as part of the European Deterrence Initiative (EDI), is consistently increased every year. The U.S. is also one of the main partners of Lithuania in defence equipment acquisition.