On November 11 through 18 Minister of National Defence Raimundas Karoblis will be conducting a formal visit to the United States to meet with acting Secretary of Defence Christopher C.Miller and sign the contract between Lithuania and the United States on procurement of a new UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter platform for the Lithuanian Armed Forces from the U.S. Government. Heads of defence of Lithuania and the U.S. will also discuss the posture of U.S. forces in Europe, regional defence and deference, and defence cooperation.
“The United States is one of the key strategic partners of Lithuania. Its military presence in Europe, and particularly the Baltic region, along with NATO forces enhances security of the whole eastern flank of NATO and strengthens deterrence. We work to create every condition for rotating allied forces in Lithuania. We are prepared to host U.S. forces and ensure excellent opportunities for their continued military training and readiness improvement. It is very important to let the leadership of the U.S. Department of Defence see that U.S. forces in Lithuania will be able to continue improving their military readiness,” said Minister of National Defence R. Karoblis before leaving for the United States.
Minister will also meet with other high-ranking representatives of the U.S. Department of Defence – Secretary of the Air Force Barbara M. Barrett, Secretary of the U.S. Army Ryan D. McCarhty, Secretary of the Navy Kenneth J. Braithwaite, and representatives of the Congress. Minister will then travel to Pennsylvania to meet with Adjutant General of Pennsylvania Major General Anthony Carrelli.
The United States is Lithuania’s strategic partner and key ally for the security of the Baltic region. The two countries cooperate across different areas, develop joint projects of weaponry procurement (e.g., Lithuania has been buying Javelin anti-tank systems from the U.S. for many years, last year Lithuania and the U.S. Government signed a contract on procurement 200 units of U.S.-made Joint Light Tactical Vehicles, etc.).
The countries also have a particularly intense cooperation in military training and other areas, U.S. force rotations for training in Lithuania are becoming more frequent, Lithuania Is also fostering wide-ranging relations with the U.S. in cyber-security and other areas.
The United States makes significant investments in adaptation of Lithuanian military areas to military needs as part of security assistance programmes. Several projects have been already completed on U.S. funds at Pabradė, Rukla, Kazlų Rūda, such as firing ranges, maintenance capability, other training and area upkeep infrastructure. Lithuania is expanding training areas and improving infrastructure on its behalf as well, e.g., the new railhead of Pabradė-Pažeimenė railway line opened in spring this year improved conditions of deploying military vehicles and equipment of NATO allies. It was first tested out for redeploying military equipment by an outgoing U.S. rotation.
Photo credit: Alfredas Pliadis/MoD
