On February 3 through the Rocket Missile Artillery Battery of the Lithuanian Land Forces and the U.S Allies are training live fire shooting the M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) at surface targets in the Baltic Sea. As Lithuania expects its HIMARS purchase to be delivered this year, the training of crews, fire distribution centers, and safety and maintenance personnel sets the scene for system integration in the Lithuanian Land Force organization structure.
Task Force Pergalė (Victory) of the Lithuanian Land Force Rocket Artillery Battery and the U.S. 1st Battalion, 14th Field Artillery Regiment, 41st Field Artillery Brigade, V Corps, trains to upkeep individual and collective skills required for stand-alone and efficient HIMARS command and maintenance. The activity began in September 2025 and culminated in skill and knowledge certification and enhancement at the General Silvestras Žukauskas Training Area on January 5-28 so far. The training classes give Lithuanian Land Force Rocket Artillery Battery personnel theoretical knowledge they then try out using the HIMARS equipment brought from Estonia to Lithuania for training purposes by the U.S 41st Field Artillery Brigade. The training currently p[progresses to individual training and functional area expertise.
Lithuania trains HIMARS live fire for the third time in the overall and for the second time as part of the Land Force Rocket Artillery Battery readiness training. HIMARS missiles were shot into the Baltic Sea and hit the water approx. 15km away from the launching site. Danger Area was set and control of the Baltic Sea area ensured by the LNS Jotvingis command and supply ship (N42), LNS Skalvis (M53) MCM ship and Lokys (H24) tugboat at sea and by the Military Police on land. Restrictions were put on traffic in the Curonian Spit, navigation, airspace and access to Kairiai Training Area were kept throughout the activity.
Lithuanian Land Force Rocket Artillery Battery personnel carry out consistent collaborations with the 41st Field Artillery Brigade, V Corps since 2024 and training with other U.S. and NATO Allied and partner forces in Lithuanian and abroad in order to thoroughly prepare for a successful integration of HIMARS in the Lithuanian Land Force.
Lithuania’s M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (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.
The European HIMARS Initiative offered by the U.S. military involves HIMARS owners or buyers. The initiative facilitates sharing of HIMARS operation, maintenance and combat training experience. Alongside Latvia and Estonia, Lithuania is part of the initiative to ensure quick and effective readiness for full operational capability.
Photo credit: Sgt Spc Karolis Kavolėlis / Lithuanian Armed Forces
