Lithuania Purchases 20 Million Euros Worth of Additional Grom MANPADS From Poland
Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anuauskas met with his Polish counterpart, Mariusz Blaszczak, in Warsaw on Tuesday, 30 May, as part of the Fourth Polish-Lithuanian Defense Ministers Council. During the meeting, the ministers discussed the regional security situation, preparations for the NATO summit in Vilnius in July, as well as issuing a joint statement outlining guidelines for bilateral defense cooperation and reaching an agreement on the purchase of an additional 20 million euros worth of Grom man-portable anti-aircraft systems.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas gave a statement after the meeting, saying, “It is very symbolic that the preparations for the NATO summit in Vilnius have brought us together here in Warsaw. Both Poland and Lithuania see Russia as a long-term threat to Western security and democratic values, to the stability of the international system based on mutual trust. As Moscow and Minsk are waving weapons, including nuclear, we understand that concessions cannot be made to the Kremlin regime. We agree that we must work both in a bilateral format, as well as jointly using the capabilities of NATO and the European Union (…) We agree to intensify joint military exercises. (…) We cooperate on arms purchases. We are acquiring Grom air defense systems, at a cost of more than 20 million euros.”
On Lithuania’s decision to purchase Polish Grom anti-aircraft systems, Polish Defense Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Blaszczak stated, “Today we discussed, among other things, joint arms purchases. I am very pleased and thankful for the Lithuanian decision to purchase Groms, which will go to the equipment of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. This is another transaction of this kind, which speaks very well of our relations.”
The contract in question was in addition to the €34 million in Grom systems acquired by Lithuania from the Polish firm MESKO SA in September 2014. At the time, the deal comprised an unknown quantity of launchers, missiles, system maintenance tools, field trainers, simulators, and a planned logistics package for the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The contract, which is expected to be completed in batches in 2024-2025, would bolster Lithuania’s depleted stocks to replace the Stinger MANPADS transferred as military aid to the Ukrainian Armed Forces last year.
Grom (Thunder) is a portable air defense system designed and manufactured by the Polish MESKO company, based on the Soviet-made 9K38 Igla. The Grom system, which consists of a disposable launcher, a missile, and a ground power supply unit, is designed to destroy visually observed air targets such as low-flying helicopters, aircraft, and other targets emitting infrared radiation. The Grom system has a set weight of 18.5 kg, can be fired by a single soldier, and can be ready to fire in less than 10 seconds. The infrared-guided missile launched from the system weighs 10.5 kg, and the warhead weighs 1.27 kg. Grom has a target detection range of 7 km and can effectively destroy targets at a range of up to 5.5 km and an altitude of 3.5 km.