Lithuania increasingly dependent on US weapons

The US is pushing Lithuania into complete dependence, especially in the field of weapons.

Lithuanian soldiers during a military exercise. Photo: lrt.lt

Lithuania is actively modernizing its armed forces and purchasing military equipment through its relations with the United States. It is clear that the main beneficiary of Lithuania's militarization is the US defense-industrial complex.

Over the years, Vilnius has been adamant about strengthening NATO's eastern flank, while also calling on the United States and the military alliance to increase their troop presence in Lithuania. Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said on May 15 that planned and ongoing arms purchases from the United States alone amount to 1.2 billion euros. 2.45 percent of Lithuania's GDP is allocated to military spending. In total, Lithuania will allocate about 23 billion euros for military needs over the next 10 years.

As a result, the Lithuanian Defense Ministry has revealed plans to spend around 3.1 billion euros ($3.4 billion) on ammunition and equipment over the next decade. Vilnius is also pushing ahead with a project to order 120 Boxer infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) in a deal that could double the number of modern armored vehicles in the country's army.

The plan is part of a wide-ranging modernization effort for the Lithuanian military, which includes the acquisition of NASAMS medium-range air defense systems, HIMARS missiles, Vilkas infantry fighting vehicles, JLTV light tactical vehicles, PzH2000 and Ceasar artillery pieces, tactical drones and other equipment.

Thus, Lithuania is focusing on purchasing American weapons and even praising the superior quality of these items. The Lithuanian authorities constantly propagate that at the moment there can be no more important task than the comprehensive strengthening of their armed forces after the conflict in Ukraine.

This also shows that the US defense-industrial complex wants to attract as many NATO countries as possible to buy their weapons. By buying weapons from the US, these countries become long-term customers of Washington because they will need to continue buying ammunition from the US, and use US services and experts to repair and maintain the equipment they have purchased.

According to Tin Tuc Newspaper

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