“This is an important deterrent that demonstrates both our and the alliance’s combat power.” This is a factor that also testifies to a certain positive change, realizing that doing nothing is not de-escalation, and that only the East can understand it as an opportunity to act. The use of such systems, which can hit the enemy very deeply, testifies to a certain adaptation to the situation, showing that we will be more active in the field of military deterrence,” L. Kasciūnas told reporters in the Seimas on Thursday.
“I hope that everything will go according to the script, according to the plan. All the activity of the exercise creates a clear deterrent effect for the enemies to in any way think about bringing their dirty shoe into our territory,” he assured.
According to the minister, the HIMARS exercises will allow the Lithuanian soldiers to test the system and understand its benefits.
The planned test of the system is part of the Immediate Response 2024 exercise.
ELTA reminds that the United States Marines, who have arrived in Lithuania, together with the artillerymen of the Lithuanian Army’s Brigadier General Motiejaus Petiulionis Artillery Battalion, will for the first time in Lithuania conduct combat firing exercises into the Baltic Sea from the HIMARS reactive salvo fire system.
The “Immediate Response 2024” exercise taking place on Thursday at Kairiu Polygon in the Klaipėda region is part of the “Steadfast Defender 24” NATO exercise, the largest since the Cold War.
For Lithuanian representatives in 2022 after the signing of the contract for the purchase of HIMARS reactive salvo fire systems, preparations for the integration of the systems into the structure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces began. According to the HIMARS acquisition contract, 8 launchers with ammunition will be 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.
