Lithuania Receives Additional Javelin Anti-Tank Missiles From The United States

This week, the United States delivered an additional shipment of Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) valued at approximately $16.6 million to Lithuania, one of its main allies in the Baltic region. The new delivery, which will contribute to the Vilnius government’s long-term military capabilities and deterrence efforts, arrived in Lithuania on a Boeing C-17A Globemaster III military transport aircraft from McGuire Air Force Base, which is under Air Mobility Command (AMC) jurisdiction. These anti-tank missiles, which have proven effective in numerous global conflicts, were loaded onto a Lithuanian Air Force C-27 Spartan transport aircraft and distributed to the appropriate land forces.

Javelin anti-tank guided missiles (ATGM) newly delivered to Lithuania / From the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania

Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas stated that the addition of these systems to the reserves of the Lithuanian military is of particular importance in the difficult geopolitical situation that emerged after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and stated that “the United States of America is Lithuania’s strategic partner and one of the key Allies for the Baltic regional security. Beyond doubt, the Javelin anti-tank system the United States has made available for Lithuania to acquire is a boost to the Lithuanian Armed Forces’ combat capacity and deterrent effect.”

HE Kara C. McDonald, the US ambassador to Lithuania, added by saying, “We are happy with this delivery of Javelin missiles and welcome Lithuania’s ongoing investments in its combat capabilities,”

A soldier launches a FGM-148 Javelin anti-tank missile / Image Author: GARY L. KIEFFER, USA, CIV

Lithuania placed its initial order for Javelins in 2015. The United States delivered 220 Javelin Missiles and 74 Javelin Command/Launch Units (CLU) to Lithuania as part of an order worth approximately $55 million. In December 2021, the United States approved the sale of 341 Javelin FGM-148F missiles and 30 Javelin CLUs to Lithuania for an estimated $125 million. Within the scope of this agreement, these ATGMs will be transferred to the Lithuanian Armed Forces in batches between 2024 and 2028.

An FGM-148 Javelin in Lithuanian service / From the Ministry of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania – LAF Land Forces (King Mindaugas hussar battalion)

The delivery of Javelin missiles is just one example of Vilnius’s military cooperation with Washington. With the start of Russia’s attempt to invade Ukraine, Lithuania, like other European countries, increased defense spending and purchased more than 20% of its new military equipment from the United States. Aside from Javelin MANPATS, the equipment includes Oshkosh Joint Light Tactical Vehicles (JLTV), Black Hawk helicopters, M142 HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, AIM-200 AMRAAM missiles for NASAMS air defense systems, and Switchblade 600 loitering munition systems.