Lithuania agrees upon plan to buy 18 howitzers from France

Lithuania has agreed upon the plan to buy 18 howitzers from France, both sides’ defence minister made an announcement on Monday, as the Baltic nation bolsters its arsenal because of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

A European Union, as well as NATO member nation, Lithuania, has planned to inject an additional 300 million euros ($312 million) into its 2022 defence budget as the Ukraine war ramped up security fears.

Meanwhile, Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas tweeted along with a photo with French counterpart Sebastien Lecornu, “Lithuania will buy 18 Caesar MarktII howitzers from France.”

Anusauskas added that, “They will significantly empower” the capabilities of the Lithuanian armed forces.

At the same time, Russia’s attack on its former Soviet neighbour has spooked the small Baltic States, which fear they could be next.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, all NATO members and part of the former Soviet Union- have come to Ukraine’s defence with military hardware as well as humanitarian aid.

Lithuania has added that it sent military supplies worth “tens of millions” of euros, including Stinger anti-craft missiles, mortars, rifles, ammunition along with other equipment. Lithuanians also crowdfunded more than five million euros to buy Ukraine another Bayraktar drone.