Anušauskas: Lithuania has sent L70 anti-aircraft guns and ammunition to Ukraine

Lithuania has sent a batch of L70 autocannons to Ukraine aiming to strengthen its air defense.

It was the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania, Arvydas Anušauskas who made the announcement.

In addition to the anti-aircraft guns themselves, the necessary ammunition for them was also included.

“A batch of L70 anti-aircraft guns and ammunition that will help protect critical infrastructure have already left for Ukraine,” Anušauskas wrote on Facebook.

As previously reported, in January of this year, the President of Lithuania Gitanas Nausėda made a statement that his country would strengthen Ukraine’s air defense with L70 anti-aircraft guns.

Lithuania will also contribute by helping to train Ukrainian soldiers, restoring and repairing Ukrainian military equipment.

Over the last two weeks, the Ukrainian military has undergone training in the operation of L70 anti-aircraft guns on the territory of Lithuania.

The main objectives of the training course were to prepare an anti-aircraft gun for combat and practice skills in destroying enemy planes, helicopters, and remotely controlled aerial vehicles (UAVs).

🇱🇹🇺🇦Lithuania's latest military assistance to Ukraine includes L-70 anti-aircraft guns with ammunition. Over the past two weeks, Ukrainian instructors have been training in Lithuania on how to operate them.#StandWithUkraine
Разом до перемоги! pic.twitter.com/4HMAOB3bxv

— Lithuanian MOD 🇱🇹 (@Lithuanian_MoD) February 7, 2023

Lithuanian instructors also trained the Ukrainian military to maintain and conduct minor repairs of L70 40mm anti-aircraft guns.

After returning to Ukraine, these soldiers will become instructors themselves and will train even more Ukrainian operators of these anti-aircraft guns.

The L70 40-mm autocannon was developed by Bofors in the post-war period and was adopted to service with the Swedish military in 1951. It was widely supplied abroad and was produced under license in six different European countries. The gun is guided through an electro-hydraulic drive, however it can be done manually, if necessary.

Lithuania has provided aid to Ukraine in the amount of €283 million. It includes Stinger MANPADS, anti-tank weapons, 120 mm mortars, small arms, ammunition, thermal imaging cameras, drones, as well as body armor and protective helmets. Ukraine has also received from Lithuania M113 armored personnel carriers, trucks, all-terrain vehicles and other types of assistance that meets the needs of the Defense Forces of Ukraine.