The exercises take place at Kairiu training ground in Klaipėda district. Up to 450 Lithuanian and US soldiers take part in them. As a result, traffic in the Curonian Spit, airspace, shipping, as well as access to the Kairai polygon were restricted.
The “Immediate Response 2024” exercise, which is taking place at the Kairi training ground, is part of SteadfastDefender 24, NATO’s largest exercise since the Cold War.
“Today you are seeing one of our big exercise episodes. When shooting from HIMARS systems is carried out for the first time in Lithuania. From the systems we purchase as well. Which will come here already in 2026. We will be able to use it already at the beginning of 2027. And in 2028, we will have mastered this system”, says Valdemaras Rupšys, Commander of the Lithuanian Armed Forces
During the exercise, four rounds were fired at targets in the Baltic Sea. They flew at a distance of about 15 kilometers. However, according to the commander of the Lithuanian army, these systems can reach a target up to 300 kilometers away.
“One thing must be understood – that we are members of NATO. Our security guarantee is precisely being in this most powerful military organization. We must deter through our readiness, through our military power. That military power is the possession of these systems, the interaction with other states that have the corresponding systems. I’m not just talking about HIMARS, I’m talking about military weaponry in general, about soldiers in readiness, about readiness. What I’m talking about is that it makes it possible to deter, and if anything, to win the war, it’s a victory. A potential aggressor, an adversary, like the current Russia, they clearly know that they will lose in a war with NATO. This is a guarantee of deterrence”, explains V. Rupšys.
Eight such HIMARS systems are currently being purchased for the Lithuanian army.
For the exercise, the systems were flown from the USA to Germany, and from there they reached Lithuania a few days ago.
“We are very happy to be the first to test the reactive salvo fire systems HIMARS in Lithuania. These are very powerful systems and very necessary for European countries. We tested and verified the power of Himars systems in Afghanistan. This is a very powerful system indeed. These systems can fire up to 300 kilometers away. And the bullet follows a consistent trajectory,” says US Lt. Col. Michael P. Walls.
It took about 3 minutes to prepare the shots and fire them
Austan Mobley, HIMARS team leader, says that during the exercise, it took about 3 minutes to prepare and fire the shots, but it can be done even faster.
“We have a long and professional preparation to be able to use such systems. Because the preparation is really strong – the system is really not difficult to use and we can do it very quickly”, says A. Mobley.
During exercises in the Left Battalion, firing is not only from HIMARS systems, but also from 105 millimeter howitzers.
“They shoot up to 11 kilometers. This is part of the exercise. We shoot at targets located in the sea. Security is provided by two ships of your Military Forces. We also train together with our allies from the USA”, explains Major Mantas Ragulis.
Lithuanian reserve soldiers, who were called up on May 1, also participate in exercises in the Left Battalion.
Security during the exercise was provided by two ships of the Navy, and on land by the Military Police. During the combat shootings, traffic in the Curonian Spit, shipping, airspace, as well as access to Kairaiu Polygon were restricted.
The integration of HIMARS jet salvo fire systems in Lithuania started in 2022 after the signing of the acquisition contract.
8 launchers with ammunition are being purchased for the Lithuanian army, which will consist of sets of guided missiles of different types and combat characteristics, including ATACMS systems with an effective range of 300 km. This system will be integrated in coordination with allies, especially with neighboring countries – Estonia, Latvia, and Poland. The first deliveries of HIMARS are scheduled for 2025.
