On 20-26 September, Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas is visiting the U.S. on an official visit. During this visit, the Minister is going to meet U.S. Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby, Members of Congress Patty Murray and Roger F. Wicker. The discussions will focus primarily on bilateral cooperation in the fields of security and defense, including the aim of ensuring the U.S. military presence in Lithuania. The security situation and Lithuania’s role as an exemplary ally will also be discussed.
The visit includes scheduled meetings with the U.S. defense industry companies Lockheed Martin, Palantir, Northrop Grumman, Mach Industries and Epirus Inc.
Over the past three years, Lithuania has purchased approximately 2 billion euros worth of weaponry and equipment from the U.S. becoming the largest buyer of the U.S. arms in the Baltic States. Lithuania is purchasing from the Americans anti-tank missile systems Javelin, armored vehicles JLTV, helicopters Black Hawk, rocket systems HIMARS, missiles AMRAAM designed for medium-range air defense systems NASAMS, etc.
R. Kaunas also will visit the Pennsylvania National Guard and meet PANG Commander Major General John Pippy.
The Pennsylvania National Guard has been cooperating with Lithuania under the State Partnership Program since 1993. This cooperation encompasses a wide range of activities – from the development of a national division, joint exercises, training of Black Hawk helicopter pilots and technicians to discussions on sharing crisis management experience.
