Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas met with Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander who was in Lithuania on a visit last week. Minister yet again expressed gratitude for the recent U.S. decision to maintain the uninterrupted rotational force presence in the Baltic states.
Minister underscored Lithuania effort to deliver on its share by developing Host Nation Support and infrastructure to make sure it lived up to NATO standards.
At the meeting, security situation in the region and the upcoming NATO Summit in Washington were discussed. “Executability of NATO regional defence plans is essential to us and the U.S. has a key role in it. We follow the changes in the U.S. defence planning and appreciate it. We need to do everything possible to make sure the adopted decisions are acted upon quickly and the NATO Summit in Washington demonstrates we are stronger than ever before,” said L. Kasčiūnas.
Minister thanked for the assistance package the United States had recently passed for Ukraine and added that Lithuania was aiming for at 0.25% of GDP worth of assistance to Ukraine on its behalf.
Other topics discussed included the cooperation between Lithuania and the United States on the Indo-Pacific and Lithuania’s increasing engagement in the region. Minister underscored Lithuania’s mindset to strengthen the partnership with the United States, including through exercises and joint operations.
Minister also reviewed the weaponry acquisitions underway and possibilities to accelerate delivery of the arms to Lithuania. Over 20% of Lithuania’s defence acquisitions are conducted with the United States. The list includes the Javelin anti-tank missile system, Joint Light Tactical Vehicles JLTV, Black Hawk helicopters, HIMARS High Mobility Artillery Rocket System. Minister was notified during the visit that the American side was going to speed the delivery of the Javelin equipment to Lithuania. AMRAAM Advanced Medium Range Air-Air Missiles for the NASAMS medium-range ground-based air defense system, Switchblade loitering munition, etc. Lithuania also is working to strengthen partnership with the U.S. on defence industry and to draw U.S. investments to Lithuania.
