Lithuania should not be transferring howitzers and air defense systems to Ukraine
26 October, 2022 PzH 2000 self-propelled howitzer (Panzerhaubitze 2000) for Lithuania. Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania Valdemaras Rup?ys, Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania, stated that the country cannot hand over the PzH-2000 self-propelled howitzers and the NASAMS air defense system to Ukraine.
He shared this with the journalists, LRT reports. "I need to have instruments. We cannot accomplish tasks without the capability to do so, and the capability we have is on that line when we cannot stretch any further," Rup?ys said.
He emphasized that it is necessary to look for other ways to help Ukraine. Lithuania could assist Kyiv with weapons if the new ones could be purchased quickly.
Valdemaras Rup?ys, Chief of Defence of the Republic of Lithuania. Photo credits: LRT
"We need to understand that we also have NATO commitments.
We have clearly stated the units we are contributing to NATO. This must include indirect fire capability or field artillery, maneuver units with firepower, and air defence to provide support as a host nation," Rup?ys said. At the same time, Gabrielus Landsbergis, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, told journalists in Vilnius that support of Ukraine, including military assistance, should continue.
He also voiced his surprise that the issue of providing weapons is being publicly discussed.
Military of the Armed Forces of Lithuania
"I believe matters of the State Defence Council are discussed behind closed doors because these decisions have to do with national security, and our support to our partners, and I urge other senior officials to stick to this principle. I'm a bit surprised that this discussion is taking place in public," Landsbergis said. The media emphasizes that Lithuania is considering the possibility of providing Ukraine with howitzers and air defense systems following Kyiv's request.
However, the debate about whether the country can take this step continues. At the same time, it is worth noting that Lithuania is providing assistance to Ukraine in repairing the equipment, training the military, and provision. As previously reported, Lithuania plans to transfer mobile 120-mm Panzerm?rser M113 mortars mounted on the chassis of the M113 tracked armored personnel carrier to the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Panzerm?rser M113 of the Armed Forces of Lithuania
In the coming weeks, Germany will transfer MARS II MLRS and PzH 2000 self-propelled guns to Ukraine.
In addition, the manufacturer Raytheon Technologies handed over two NASAMS SAMs intended for Ukraine to the US government.
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