Today, April 14, is a historical day in terms of international cooperation: the United States of America donated to Lithuania M72 LAW light anti-tank weapons which will be used to arm the National Defence Volunteer Force of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. This is not the first time the United States boosts our defence by investing several tens of millions of dollars in our weaponry.
The donation was handed over to the National Defence System at a ceremony held at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Headquarters Battalion in Vilnius. The event was attended by Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas, U.S. Ambassador to Lithuania HE Robert S. Gilchrist, Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Valdemaras Rupšys, representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
“I am highly pleased to be here today at the Lithuanian Grand Duke Gediminas Headquarters Battalion side by side with U.S. Ambassador, Chief of Defence of Lithuania and Lithuanian soldiers. I thank the United States, Lithuania’s strategic partner, for the assistance in developing capabilities of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The U.S. investments to strengthen our capabilities show that the United States sees Lithuania as an important defence policy priority,” stated Minister of National Defence A. Anušauskas at the ceremony.
“The Lithuanian Armed Forces will be as strong as each of Lithuanian soldiers is. Not just physically or of a strong morale – it is also important to be provided with proper weaponry. The U.S. donation of the light anti-tank weapons has made our territorial defence units significantly stronger, their combat capability and warfighting power has been boosted and a surefire, resolute and effective territorial defence has been enabled. The U.S. assistance strengthens the ranks of our Volunteer Force, Land Force, and the Lithuanian Armed Forces, and thus guarantees an even more effective defence and deterrence against aggression,” Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen V. Rupšys said at the hand-over ceremony.
The M72 LAWs will supplement the current arsenal of Swedish Carl-Gustav and single-shot AT-4 anti-tank weapons used by the Lithuanian Armed Forces infantry. The M72 LAW light anti-tank weapons are of a smaller calibre the present Lithuanian Armed Forces stock and their effective firing range is shorter, however, the M72 LAW is significantly lighter and more compact and these characteristics are particularly relevant to the National Defence Volunteer Force battlefield tactics.
“The new weaponry donated by our American allies will greatly enhance the firepower of the volunteer force – light infantry squads. Penetration power of the presented anti-armour weapons is significant enough to effectively destroy armoured or not armoured vehicles, bunkers and other field engineering fortifications within the range of 200 – 300 meters. The weapon is convenient because it is lightweight and simple to prepare for use, one soldier can carry more than one M72 LAW. We will equip infantry and reconnaissance squads with the new weapons,” said Commander of the National Defence Volunteer Force Col Dainius Pašvenskas.
According to the National Defence Volunteer Force Commander, his force trains military personnel for armed defence of the land territory of the Republic of Lithuania, therefore it is very important for its military personnel to get efficient weaponry and versatile training. The United States is providing assistance to the force not only in the form of M72 LAW anti-armour weaponry but also theoretical knowledge and practical skills – which stands out as an excellent example of mutual cooperation and strength building.
The M72 LAWs have been combat-tested by U.S. and allied forces in the operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and in other conflicts. Roughly 40 countries worldwide, including the U.S., UK, Canada, Australia, Belgium, Israel, Denmark, Finland, etc., equip their militaries with the M72 LAW.
Photo credits: A.Pliadis/MoD
