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
You may also like
More from Land Warfare
-
![Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth]()
Clearer military requirements could unlock UGV market growth
Western armies continue to test uncrewed ground vehicles, but wider procurement will depend on turning ambitions for autonomy into defined operational roles and funded requirements.
-
![Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?]()
Can NATO’s CUAS marketplace turn urgent demand into deliveries?
Framework contracts and leasing options aim to shorten acquisition timelines, while manufacturing partnerships could help suppliers scale production to meet allied demand.
-
![A medium UGV market emerges as the US weighs up its options]()
A medium UGV market emerges as the US weighs up its options
The US is pursuing multiple UGV programmes, from commercial robotic platforms to new autonomy technologies. The combination of these efforts could prove key to turning ambition into operational capability.
-
![NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement]()
NATO looks for answers to overcome standards hurdles and improve procurement
NATO is looking to artificial intelligence to provide integration between different C2 systems to create a common operational picture, potentially offering a faster route to interoperability than the slow-moving processes of NATO standards committees.
-
![NATO FUSE exercise plays out real-world scenario in the face of eastern border risks]()
NATO FUSE exercise plays out real-world scenario in the face of eastern border risks
The large-scale exercise in Latvia was the culmination of three experimentation initiatives to see how platforms, weapons and systems could fit into the alliance’s Eastern Flank Deterrence Initiative. As well as forces, it brought together companies and equipment.
-
![Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces]()
Canada accelerates uncrewed aerial system procurement for NATO and Arctic forces
Canada plans to acquire at least 120 uncrewed aerial systems through two competitions with combined funding ceilings of C$32 million.
