Seeking to strengthen military cooperation between armed forces of Lithuania and Israel Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas conducted the first official visit to Israel on November 27-30. During the visit Lithuanian Chief of Defence met with Minister of Defence of Israel Avigdor Lieberman and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenko.
The meeting officials discussed security situation in our region, Israel and Middle East, global fight with terrorism, and lessons learnt by the Israel Defence Forces in military operations.
"I see a need to expand our cooperation with the Israel Defence Forces, so I have invited Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot to return the visit and consider Israeli soldiers joining international exercise in Lithuania in the future," Lt Gen Jonas Vytautas Žukas said.
During the part of the visit at the borderland near Gaza Strip Lithuanian Chief of Defence's delegation familiarised with Israel's state border defence capabilities and readiness of the Israel Defence Force to respond in case of armed conflict.
While at the IDF Tactical Training Centre (MATBAT-B) Lithuanian Chief of Defence familiarised with its activities and capabilities, also with manning, individual and collective and reserve training systems at the Israel Defence Forces.
Gen J. V. Žukas is planned to visit Israeli Ground Forces Training Centre and one of the Southern Command's subordinate operational units to familiarise with methodology of training Israel's armed forces and reserve and principles of collective and individual training.
Since the Lithuanian Armed Forces have several joint projects with Israel's defence industry companies underway, and the Lithuanian Armed Forces have interest in the well-developed defence industry of Israel, goods and manufacturing capacity of such companies as RADA Electronic Industries, ELBIT Systems, Rafael, Israel Military Industry, and Israel Aerospace Industries were presented to Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lt Gen J.V.Žukas. The said enterprises manufacture tactical radars, anti-armour weaponry, turrets for military vehicles, mortar systems and their ammunition, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Chief of Defence Lt Gen J.V.Žukas was accompanied by Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in Israel Edminas Bagdonas at official visits.
Since 2013 the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence and Israel's enterprise ELBIT Systems have been implementing a joint project for upgrading self-propelled Tampella 120 mm mortars of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Boxer infantry fighting vehicles bought for the Lithuanian Armed Forces in 2017-20121 will be equipped with bus Samson 30 MK2 turrets with 30 mm guns and Spike-LR anti-tank system manufactured by Rafael enterprise of Israel.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence Captain Mindaugas Neimontas
Contacts: 00370 5 278 5091, 00370 682 25359, mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
Photo credits: IDF and Capt A.Paliušis
