The US State Department has sanctioned a prospective Foreign Military Sale to Latvia.
The Defence Security Cooperation Agency made the announcement to Congress regarding the potential $220 million deal involving M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) and associated equipment.
Latvia’s request encompasses a substantial order as detailed in the press release: “six (6) M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS); twelve (12) M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) Alternative Warhead (AW) Pods with Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System (IMPS); twelve (12) M31A2 GMLRS Unitary (GMLRS-U) High Explosive Pods with IMPS; and ten (10) M57 Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) Pods.”
Beyond the systems, the Baltic nation will be equipped with “Reduced Range Practice Rocket (RRPR) Pods; intercom systems to support the HIMARS Launcher; ruggedised laptops; training; training equipment; publications for HIMARS, munitions, and spares; services; other support equipment; and other related elements of programme and logistic support.”
This strategic enhancement is touted to align with US interests, where the release states, “This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a NATO Ally that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Europe.”
The DSCA emphasises the balanced nature of this sale: “The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.” This statement aims to mitigate any concern about shifting power dynamics in the region.
Lockheed Martin from Grand Prairie, TX, is identified as the “principal contractor,” with no “known offset agreements in connection with this potential sale” being reported. The deployment of US personnel is deemed necessary for successful implementation: “Implementation of this proposed sale will require the assignment of two (2) US Government and five (5) contractor representatives to Latvia for a period of one year.”
The press release concludes by assuring that US defence readiness remains uncompromised: “There will be no adverse impact on US defence readiness as a result of this proposed sale.”
Very sensible the more that the Baltic States and others have there the more safe they will be, even if Russia will scream blur murder as it is with Poland building up its forces. The hypocrite of that Country is amazing, they would complain about (insert name here) obtaining peashooters as it might be a threat to their biggest nuclear arsenal in the World. There is really no reasoning with these people.
Defiantly need to Get our AD build up for this island of ours 🇬🇧
More sky sabre batteries and development into follow on, improved systems.
Having them mobile with the ability to plug into radar and other detection networks is a must. Able to be deployed and moved quickly.
It will be really interesting to know how real world performance of air defence has done in Ukraine.
With lots of different systems deployed from old to new technologies from a variety tog countries
Think it could be time to bring our Sky Sabre Batteries back home from Poland ,sure the pols have beef up there AD by now. Your absolutely right Ukraine have one hell of a mix.Anyone seen Blood Hound 🤗 🍺
If it’s back in the U.K. it won’t be deployed. At least when the Battery is deployed they are practicing, working with other systems etc.
To be precise, I understand it is half a Battery. The other half does the Falklands tasking. So a Battery is 2 Fire Groups, each of which take on one of those tasks. 16 Reg RA has 4 Fire Batteries, but CGS has already confirmed medium AD is “to double” but what this actually implies I’m unsure. As my learned friend Dern said to me here, with the manpower issues we will not see new units springing up like rabbits out of a hat, so that to me might mean shuffling manpower from elsewhere to expand existing Batteries before new… Read more »
Agreed, more Sky Sabre needed for static defence, albeit on the Sky sabre mobile platform. The various RAF Regiments Sqns could easily be broke into 3 Troops, AD Troop with 3+1 Sky Sabre, Patrol Troop with (platoon strength) with 9+2 Jackals and admin Troop. More effective and flexible/useful allocation of resources! Oh and barrier Troop, that main gate won’t open itself…..😂
Static/mobile defence😂😂.
Is there an argument for the various RAF Reg Sqns to go from FP to AD? Thing is, when the RAF EAWs deploy they will still need FP and as you said once why waste a good Infantry Bn on that!
Mate I think when the AEW groups reply yes GD is essential being closer and higher profile on ops, but within the UK I do believe that the RAF Reg could easily split into smaller Troops with their respective Sqns, and provide both GD and AD on a number of our main RAF stations! Get the RAFAUX lads in as well and it’s feasible. But as you (and I) have said previously not at the expense of reducing numbers on the ground so an Inf Bn would be dicked! However, and you will go wide eyed at this mate, I… Read more »
Lol. Careful, Dern might pull you up on that one, he did with me once. We do have quite a few LI Bns but most have all been parceled out and given roles ranging from the SoB, to SFAB, to providing a Bn for the SLE, to Garrison in Cyprus, NI, LONDIST, and Public Duties. I defo support the SoB/Ranger role, but I remain unconvinced on the real need for the SFAB, as I understood it many units did the BATT role as and when needed, and even SF lads in the rotated Sqn on “other duties” chipped in, which… Read more »
Good, the Baltic states know the dangers of Russia and although small, all 3 spend a decent amount on defence in comparison to their respective GDPs!
There take defence seriously by been so close to Russia must be unsettling .But good on them ,wish HMG would learn 🙄
Agreed mate 👍
HMG have an invasion plan. Just stop oil sit in front of the invasion force as soon as they depart bases all the way to Britain. Sorted.
They’re also nails hard.
You might have met the Estonians on ops but the Lats are nails too.
I know of no other Officer programme where part of survival training is spending several days in upto minus 30… naked… rare Officer who has been through more than the enlisted man.
The problem Latvia has is bringing her Russian cuckoo’s onboard; Latvian nationalism isolated them, ongoing issues prevent them from getting on the train. Putin just keeps feeding that resentment.
However, she is a beautiful country and well worth visiting.
👍
I think being nails goes with the territory, literally mate, as remember the Baltic countries and the “forest brothers” fighting the communist Soviet Union from 1945 through to mid 60s!
Labi!
So where is our defence industry? Under the cosh of pro russian civil servants and gutless politicians while the media like the BBC ignores the hamas attack and claims Israel is bombing Gaza for fun. Time to untie the hands of our defence industry, give them the orders they need to start a real business and get back to defending ourselves and others against Russia, china, Iran. Make no mistake they are coming for us and we are not even vaguely ready. We need a dozen nuclear versions of the qe carriers, dozens of frigates and destroyers, all current ships… Read more »