American Barrett state of the art sniper rifles and our first batch of Belgian FN MINIMI 7.62. light machine guns have been transferred to the Lithuanian Armed Forces as its capability is enhanced further.
The Lithuanian military has been strengthened with cutting edge Barrett M107A1 sniper rifles in 12.7 mm (.50 BMG) calibre as agreed in a contract signed with the United States in 2021 as non-reimbursable assistance. The weapons arrived with maintenance and support complements.
The unprecedented assistance with the concrete model of American arms was specifically matched with Armed Forces arsenals of the United States and other Allies. The Lithuanian Armed Forces already operates slightly different M82A1 Barretts and other manufacturers’ weapons of the same calibre as the delivered U.S. weapons.
The forefront of development design, manufacturing and materials ensure that each component of the Barret M107A1 is the lightest and strongest the line has ever been. Besides a 1.8 kg weight cut, optimized with a sound suppressor, the M107A1 is a light, accurate and powerful weapon.
The Barrett M82 was designed by Ronnie Barrett in the U.S. in 1982. He founded Barrett Firearms Company and in 1986 began the production of 82 modification. The first commercial success came in 1989 with the order of the Swedish Armed Forces. However, the true recognition arrived when the U.S. Marine Corps and other armed services soon after acquired several hundred rifles in 1990-1991 in preparation for the Gulf War. Currently, the weapon is used across the militaries worldwide.
The FN Herstal S.A. Belgian-made FN MINIMI 7.62 light machine guns was another batch of arms that strengthened the Lithuanian Armed Forces in early October as agreed with the Belgian manufacturer in the contract signed in the beginning of 2023. The weapon is superior to the KSP-58, FN MAG, MG3s currently in use in the Lithuanian Armed Forces in terms of weight and sophistication.
The new arms will enhance Lithuanian force mobility and task efficiency. The acquired machine guns only need a crew of one, unlike the two-member team needed by the older generation KSP-58. The second batch is coming in December.
The MINIMI 7.62 support different sight options to maximize accuracy and efficiency even during the dark part of the day. While Lithuania has acquired the weapon for the first time, it is the most popular 7.62×51 mm machine gun among the Western militaries widely used by NATO Allies.
