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.”
Wise move by Lithuania. The Baltic States should be armed to the teeth.
Is the UK getting any of these HIMARS or just the tracked MLRS? Could work well with Archer and RCH155.
No. But in my wlideal world, they’d get it for 1 UK Division.
Typically, the Army have split 3 DRSB in two and moved one of it’s MLRS Regiments to 1 UK Division, as part of the “new” 1 DRSB.
So a heavy tracked formation in a Division of Light wheeled Foxhound, Jackal, and heavier Mastiff vehicles.
Ideally I’d have thought keep tracked MLRS in 3 UK Division, our heavier formation, and give 1 UK lighter assets.
As it is, it is a Division still lacking enough usable Brigades with the required CS CSS. The Divisional GS is pretty thin as well.
But as is typical with HMG, and it seems the Army, make do and put square plugs into round holes is the order of the day. Where is any plan for 4 Brigade to get any regular CS CSS, or the generation of people to staff those units?
NATO requires the UK to field two proper Divisions, and we are still bluffing it.
Evening Daniele, its a shame isn’t it? Thanks for the reply. Seems like such an easy yes for the Army. Mobile, lethal, affordable. All too sensible? I think France is producing a very similar type of the HIMARs and I believe Australia is even manufacturing these under licence too.
And where’s this DIP so we can see exactly what this government is up to?
Don’t know if you’ve seen from Australia, but they’re rather busy trying to save their necks to worry about small things such as giving Defence the assets it needs.
It would be a good fit, it has been suggested that LM production line is maxed out for quite a bit which was one of the reasons the Dutch went for Elbut PLUS. However in reality, it is takes us ages to increase/upgrade our MLRS fleet so we would be wise to just concentrate on that
You’re right, of course, given the glacial pace of any conventional procurement we make.
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Thanks for telling us all that thought….which of course was by design.
We don’t either? All you do is belittle.