Lithuania Defense Procurement: Key Contracts Signed
Lithuania’s Defense Materiel Agency has recently finalized several significant contracts with American suppliers for advanced military equipment. Among these deals is the procurement of the Switchblade 600 drones from AeroVironment, valued at $7.8 million, and manpack radios from L3Harris, which cost approximately $25 million. This strategic investment aims to enhance Vilnius’ defense capabilities, with these acquisitions representing about 20 percent of the country’s planned $1.3 billion mid-term defense budget allocated for the United States.
The Switchblade drones, designed for vertical takeoff, are intended for use by Lithuanian forces in fire control operations and related military tasks. The first shipments of these unmanned aerial vehicles are expected to arrive by the end of 2025. Additionally, the manpack radios will be integrated into the military’s existing fleet, including the Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTVs) and Vilkas-Boxer infantry fighting vehicles, although the timeline for their delivery has not been disclosed.
Latest Procurements
These latest contracts are part of Lithuania’s broader strategy to bolster its defense capabilities. Recently, the Baltic nation approved the acquisition of night combat devices for its soldiers, worth 17 million euros (approximately $17.7 million). Furthermore, last month, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense sanctioned the purchase of over 40 Leopard main battle tanks from Germany, aligning with its objective to strengthen armored battalions in the region.
In November, Lithuania also partnered with the German defense contractor Rheinmetall to establish a $190 million ammunition factory in the country. This initiative is expected to enhance local defense production capabilities. Simultaneously, the Lithuanian government has engaged in discussions with Taiwan and its local industry partners to explore collaborative opportunities in drone development, highlighting Lithuania’s commitment to expanding its military technology partnerships.
