On November 9, 2022, the US Department of Defense Agency for Military Cooperation (Defense Security Cooperation Agency - DSCA) sent a notification to the US Congress about the planned upcoming sale to Lithuania through the US program of intergovernmental foreign military sales Foreign Military Sales (FMS) at the request of the Lithuanian government of HIMARS (High Mobility Artillery Rocket System) land-based missile systems manufactured by Lockheed Corporation Martin. This delivery is approved by the U.S. Department of State. The total cost of the proposed delivery will be $495 million, including missiles, and training and technical support packages.
A combat vehicle of the American M142 HIMARS missile system from the 623rd Field Artillery Regiment of the Kentucky National Guard during the NATO Saber Strike 18 exercise in Lithuania, June 2018 (c) US ArmyAccording to the notification, the delivery to Lithuania should include eight M142 HIMARS combat vehicles, up to 36 six-shot transport and launch modules with six GMLRS M30A2 Alternative Warhead (AW) correctable high-precision missiles with a fragmentation warhead and improved IMPS (Insensitive Munitions Propulsion System) engines in each (a total of 216 missiles), 36 six-shot transport and launch modules with six GMLRS M31A2 Modular correctable missiles with a monoblock warhead in each (216 missiles totaled), 36 six-shot transport and launch modules with six extended-range correctable missiles ER GMLRS XM403 Alternative Warhead IPMS with a fragmentation warhead in each (a total of 216 missiles), 36 six-shot transport and launch modules with six correctable missiles extended-range ER GMLRS XM404 Unitary IPMS with a monoblock warhead in each (a total of 216 missiles), and 18 ATACMS M57 tactical missiles.
The delivery will also include practical M28A2 LCRRPRP missiles, International Field Artillery Tactical Data System (IFATDS) fire control systems, communication systems, training equipment, and other related equipment.
On the part of bmpd, we recall that in the joint communique adopted following the meeting of the Defense Ministers of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia in Siauliai (Lithuania) on May 21, 2021, among other things, a provision was written on studying the possibility of joint acquisition by the three countries of multiple Launch Rocket systems (Multiple Launch Rocket System) in the period after 2025. In fact, this meant the purchase of American M142 HIMARS missile systems.
In July 2022, DSCA issued a notification about the upcoming sale of HIMARS missile systems and missiles to Estonia in the amount of $ 500 million. The proposed delivery to Estonia includes six M142 HIMARS combat vehicles and a completely similar set of rocket ammunition to Lithuania (36 six-shot transport and launch modules with adjustable high-precision missiles of the GMLRS M30A2 Alternative Warhead, GMLRS M31A2 Unitary, ER GMLRS XM403 Alternative Warhead and ER GMLRS XM404 Unitary types, as well as 18 ATACMS M57 operational and tactical missiles).
According to Baltic sources, they are now expected to receive HIMARS missile systems from 2024. The unconditional news is the intention on the part of the United States to immediately sell Estonia and Lithuania, along with the HIMARS missile systems, ATACMS operational and tactical missiles, which was another evidence of the deterioration of the security situation for Russia on its western borders after February 24.
In case of implementation of this DSCA notification, Lithuania will become the ninth foreign customer of HIMARS missile systems after Singapore, UAE, Jordan, Romania, Poland, Ukraine, Australia and Estonia.
