Northrop Grumman, Lithuania to Partner on Ammo Production for IFVs
23 September, 2024 Signing of a memorandum between the Government of Lithuania and Northrop Grumman. Photo by the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania Northrop Grumman and the Lithuanian government sign a memorandum on the production of medium-caliber ammunition.
The Ministry of Defense of Lithuania and the press service of Northrop Grumman reported on this. The memorandum was signed by the Minister of National Defense of Lithuania Laurynas Kasciunas, Minister of Finance Gintare Skaiste, and Vice President of Northrop Grumman Stephen O'Brien. This memorandum confirms the parties' intentions to work together to support the Lithuanian industry's ability to produce medium-caliber ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles.
"Partnership with the companies of our closest allies, who have the highest competences and vast experience in the defense industry, is a great impetus both for the long-term growth and modernization of the Lithuanian defense industry, and for our national security, which is and will remain a priority. This project, which also strengthens the long-standing close relationship between Lithuania and the U.S., will create clear value for Lithuania and our entire region, which is interested in minimizing dependence on long supply chains in the face of security challenges," stated Lithuanian Prime Minister Ingrid Simonite. After signing the memorandum, the stage of negotiations on specific terms of cooperation begins.
If successful, this project is expected to bring significant investment to Lithuania. According to the plan, production is to be carried out with the involvement of the state-owned ammunition production enterprise Giraites Ginkluotes Gamykla. "This project will be another important step forward in the development of the Lithuanian defense industry.
Cooperation with our American allies will strengthen the country's security and combat readiness, and will benefit the entire region, including Ukraine," stated Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste. Lithuania is the largest buyer of American weapons among the Baltic states. In the medium term, it is planned to purchase nearly £1.3 billion worth of U.S. weapons.
The need for medium caliber ammunition
On January 12, 2024, Lithuania received the last of the 89 Vilkas infantry fighting vehicles purchased in 2016.
In addition, in 2023, it became known that the Lithuanian government planed to order another 120 such infantry fighting vehicles.
Vilkas IFVs of the Lithuanian military. September 2022. Lithuania.
Photo credits: Ministry of Defense of Lithuania
The Vilkas IFV is a Lithuanian-adapted version of the Boxer armored fighting vehicle developed by the German consortium of Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall. The armored vehicle was adapted to the requirements of the Lithuanian army, which primarily concerned the combat module. This vehicle received the Israeli Samson Mk.2 unmanned turret module manufactured by Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, armed with a 30-mm Bushmaster II Mk44S cannon and a 7.62-mm twin machine gun.
The Bushmaster gun uses 30mm ammunition manufactured by Northrop Grumman.