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.
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