Lithuania has committed to buy High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), Switchblade loitering munitions and Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV) amid the conflict in Ukraine.
HIMARS systems and Switchblade loitering munitions have both seen extensive use in Ukraine, with HIMARS used to accurately target Russian troops and artillery, demonstrating greater range and accuracy than any other Ukrainian artillery.
This purchase commitment follows moves by both Latvia and Poland to procure the same systems in recent months. “The purchase of HIMARS by Baltic countries in recent months demonstrates that these countries see ranged strike capabilities as critical to ongoing defence,” says Davies.
HIMARS systems are intended to engage and defeat artillery and air defence concentrations, as well as support troop and supply concentrations. The system launches its weapons and moves away from the area at high speed before enemy forces locate the launch site.
Switchblade loitering munitions, produced by AeroVironment , have been supplied by the US throughout the conflict, and have provided Ukraine with the capability to autonomously target Russian troops and provide air cover for advancing Ukrainian forces, in addition to local Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR).