On April 17 – 19 Commander of the Lithuanian Land Force Brig Gen Artūras Radvilas is in Poland in attendance at the first meeting of the European High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Initiative (EHI) organized by the U.S. Army V Corps and the Polish Armed Forces. Preparations to integrate the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System into the structure of the Lithuanian Armed Forces began after the signature of HIMARS acquisition agreement with the United States in 2022. The integration will be completed in coordination with Allies, in particular, the neighbors – Estonia, Latvia and Poland.
The purpose of the event is to discuss and familiarize with HIMARS integration into functioning military structures. The discussed materials concern readiness of crews and personnel, logistical solutions, principles of system operation, and especially, the use and enabling of long-range precision fire in military conflict.
The European High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) Initiative stipulates its further steps to encompass personnel, headquarters staff and specialist, logistical support training and a 20-week military training cycle at the end to finalize readiness for deployment of the system for operations.
The signed HIMARS acquisition contract covers procurement of 8 launchers with live and blank ammunition including different types and combat characteristic guided missile pods, for example, the ATACMS Army Tactical Missile Systems with the effective range of 300 km. Lithuania is buying the system together with the other Baltic states. The first HIMARS deliveries have been scheduled for 2025.
Information and photo credits: LAF
