Lithuania unveils its first HIMARS launchers

Lithuania has officially received its first High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers in a ceremony held in Camden, Arkansas, with the occasion also marked by a signed joint statement between Lockheed Martin and the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence to deepen defence and industrial cooperation.

The statement was signed by Vitalija Zumeriene, Lithuania’s Vice Minister of National Defence, and Gaylia Campbell, Vice President of Tactical Missiles at Lockheed Martin. According to the company, it is intended to explore joint industrial opportunities and aligns with Lockheed Martin’s broader strategy to expand its global supplier and partner base in response to growing domestic and international demand.

HIMARS is a wheeled, highly mobile precision rocket artillery system capable of firing a range of munitions including the Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System and the Army Tactical Missile System. It has seen extensive operational use in recent years, most notably in Ukraine, where its long-range precision strike capability has been widely documented. Lithuania becomes the latest in a growing list of European nations to field the system, which is now operated by 14 NATO and partner countries according to Lockheed Martin.

For Lithuania, the acquisition carries particular strategic weight. The country shares a land border with the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad and Belarus, placing it on one of NATO’s most exposed eastern flanks. HIMARS provides a long-range fires capability that integrates directly with allied systems, a consideration that has driven several Baltic and Eastern European states to prioritise the platform in recent years.

Vice Minister Zumeriene framed the joint statement as part of a broader ambition for Lithuania’s defence industrial development. “The signed joint statement with Lockheed Martin, along with the establishment of its entity in Lithuania, represents not only a symbolic step but a tangible opportunity for closer cooperation with Lithuanian institutions, businesses, and the scientific community,” she said, as quoted in the press release. “Our goal is to attract new investments and ensure that Lithuania not only procures advanced systems but also becomes an integral part of the defense technology ecosystem.”

Campbell pointed to the system’s interoperability as central to its value for allied operations. “In today’s security environment, seamless cooperation among allies is essential. HIMARS integrates effortlessly with NATO and partner forces, making it a vital asset for coalition operations,” she said. “Lockheed Martin remains committed to providing Lithuania with the capabilities it needs to protect its sovereignty and contribute to regional security.”