Lithuania is increasing its defense budget. Funds, in particular, will be used to purchase HIMARS

Lithuania will allocate an additional €148 million on defense this year.

The country’s government made this decision on Wednesday, Delfi writes.

The money will be used to purchase armored vehicles, HIMARS rocket systems, radars, and ammunition.

This year’s defense budget of Lithuania will account for 2.52 percent of its GDP.

According to Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas, the additional funds would be used to restore Lithuania’s military capabilities following the transfer of part of its own weapons to Ukraine.

€40 million will be used for the purchase of American-made JLTV armored vehicles, and another €10 million for the purchase of radars.

€60 million will be allocated to purchase the HIMARS rocket systems, and the respective contract is planned to be signed this year.

A further €38 million will be invested in various munitions.

Last August, the Lithuanian army received the first batch of JLTV armored vehicles produced by the American Oshkosh Defense. 50 armored vehicles arrived in the country.

Armored vehicles were received by training units of the Armed Forces of Lithuania in Rukla and Kazla-Ruda. Special training to operate these vehicles for the military has begun.

The total number of JLTVs that Lithuania will receive within the previous deal is 500 units. Their cost is estimated at $170.8 million, including associated costs and additional equipment.

As previously reported, Lithuania will hand over winter uniforms for approximately 25,000 soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Lithuania transferred 50 M113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.