Lithuania to receive first two howitzers
The German armed forces have dispatched the first two 155mm PzH 2000 howitzers for the Lithuanian armed forces, it was announced on 23 June.
As per the contract, which was signed in September 2015, the Lithuanian armed forces bought 16 155mm howitzers for combat purposes, and five for training and spare parts. Lithuania also acquired 26 M577 V2 armoured command vehicles and six BPZ2 recovery tanks. The contract also includes support for technical maintenance arrangements and training for Lithuanian soldiers.
The remaining equipment under the contract will be delivered to Lithuania by 2019. The equipment will be used by General Romualdas Giedraitis Artillery Battalion of the Mechanised Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf based in Rukla. Currently, the battalion uses 105mm howitzers with an effective range of 11km. The new PzH 2000 howitzers will increase the battalion's range to 40km.
Lithuanian soldiers will start training on the new equipment shortly, with the howitzers expected to be first used at the upcoming Exercise Flaming Thunder. Training of Lithuanian personnel responsible for servicing and maintaining the equipment, crew members serving the artillery systems and personnel planning operations, has begun.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Land Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer]()
DSEI 2025: Thales creating new remote weapon station and Storm 2 counter-drone jammer
Thales launched Storm-H in 2012 as an EW system equipping individual dismounted troops, and a decade later revealed details to develop the improved and more powerful Storm 2.
-
![The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating]()
The integration between drones and land vehicles is accelerating
Drones and military ground vehicles are increasingly being designed to operate together as a single platform or even to convert crewed systems to automated ones.
-
![Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system]()
Denmark shuns US platform as it settles on SAMP/T air defence system
The acquisition, which is part of the country’s broader defence package worth DKK58 billion (US$9.2 billion), goes against the grain with many other European countries opting for the US’s popular Patriot platform.
-
![In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays]()
In depth: Competition for British Army vehicle programme heats up, despite more delays
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) seems set to be delayed once again but industry is jockeying for position to partner in what would be one of the biggest ever buys for the British Army.
-
![DSEI 2025: AM General has partner lined up for British Army vehicle programme]()
DSEI 2025: AM General has partner lined up for British Army vehicle programme
AM General’s Joint Light Tactical Vehicle (JLTV) A2 is in low-rate initial production and the company is looking for export orders, notably the UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP), to add to a recent approval for Canada to buy vehicles.
-
![DSEI 2025: IDV sets eyes on British Army vehicle deal as MD calls for “acceleration” of efforts]()
DSEI 2025: IDV sets eyes on British Army vehicle deal as MD calls for “acceleration” of efforts
The UK’s Land Mobility Programme (LMP) to replace thousands of vehicles is in flux as the tender for the Light Mobility Vehicle segment planned for November is set to be missed. IDV Robotics’ Dr Geoff Davis is calling for the UK government to focus broadly on indigenous capability for procurement and to do it faster.
