M14 L1 rifles for the Lithuanian Armed Forces. (Photo: Lithuanian MoD)
The Lithuanian Armed Forces have ordered accessory kits for the M14 7.62mm semi-automatic rifle from local firm UAB Baltic Arms, in a sole-source contract worth almost €985,000 ($1.16 million).
Baltic Arms will complete work on the contract in July 2023, the Lithuanian MoD announced in a notice on the official EU tenders database.
The US donated surplus M14 rifles to Lithuania in 1999 as part of a security assistance package. Estonia also received about 25,000 of the rifles.
Lithuania has upgraded some of its M14s to the M14 L1 standard for use as a designated marksman rifle, while other variants include the M14 MDV and M14 EBR SOP (for use by Lithuanian SOF).
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The M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) launcher is in high demand with Lockheed Martin doubling speed of manufacture since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. As orders are racked up in Europe, the Indo-Pacific region is seeing the increasing presence of the system.
The company's Riddler uncrewed ground vehicle (UGV) is designed to be small and light to allow easy deployment and the ability to access smaller areas such as bus or train aisles.
The Spanish Government has outlined plans to purchase communications and cybersecurity capabilities but most notably amphibious combat vehicles, self-propelled howitzers (SPHs), bridge-laying vehicles and an effort to replace its tanks from 2040.
Germany is Europe’s leading country for tank manufacture and until this month was committed to the Franco-German Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) which included tanks and other vehicles. Earlier this month, Germany and other European countries set up the Main ARmoured Tank of Europe (MARTE) project casting a shadow over the MGCS.
Denmark signed the Technical Arrangement for the multinational Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) in April this year. The order means the country will receive its first vehicle this year.
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