Lithuania to purchase GROM air defense systems from Poland for €20 million
During the 4th Polish-Lithuanian Council of Defense Ministers, the parties agreed on the purchase of Polish Grom anti-aircraft systems by Lithuania for more than €20 million.
“Today I am meeting with the Polish Deputy Prime Minister Mariusz Błaszczak in Warsaw. Lithuania made an agreement with Poland on the purchase of Grom anti-aircraft weapons for more than € 20 million," Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas posted on Twitter.
During the meeting, Anušauskas emphasized that due to the war in Ukraine and Russian aggression, the North Atlantic Alliance needs to further strengthen its own defense. The Lithuanian official expects to see progress on this issue during the NATO leaders' summit to be held in Vilnius on July 11-12. At the same time, Anušauskas hopes for "practical solutions" from partners, namely, strengthening the eastern part of Alliance territory and providing the Baltic states with powerful air and missile defense.
"Long-term deterrence against Russia and response to aggression require an increase in combat capabilities on NATO's eastern flank. The strengthening of the armed forces by Poland is a model for other Allied countries to follow," Minister Anušauskas added.
Following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, the countries of NATO's eastern region began to stockpile weapons and expand their defense capabilities. For example, Poland initiated a large-scale modernization of its territorial defense forces and introduced military training programs for civilians.
Eastern European countries led the way in providing technical, humanitarian and military assistance to Ukraine in the first months of the Russian invasion, demonstrating a steadfast, united and unequivocal position.
Poland recently announced the delivery of Rak self-propelled mortars and 100 Polish Rosomak armored personnel carriers. Lithuania, in turn, announced the delivery of EDM4S, developed by the Lithuanian company NT-Service to counter unmanned aerial vehicles.
Earlier today, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has urged "those who can" to provide Ukraine with long-range weapons.