Germany pledges weapons to Lithuania
April 15, 2015
Germany's defense minister, Ursula von der Leyen, wrapped up her two-day tour of the Baltic states with a visit to the Lithuanian capital on Wednesday.
Following a meeting with her Lithuanian counterpart, Juozas Olekas (pictured), the two defense ministers announced a military equipment deal which will see the purchase of heavy weapons from Germany's Bundeswehr.
"It's an extensive package that's we're attaching to the [tank deal]," von der Leyen said.
Lithuania is to buy 12 howitzer 2000 from the German military for 15 million euros ($15.9 million) along with the corresponding combat and weapon engagement systems. The governments are to finalize the details in May.
Von der Leyen also confirmed that Berlin would lobby for Lithuania's bid to buy Boxer armored transport vehicles, which it must purchase from the manufacturer. The news confirmed reports in February of Vilnius' considering a German company in the bidding process.
On Tuesday, the German defense minister visited neighboring Estonia and Latvia in a sign of solidarity. Roughly 25 years after gaining independence from the Soviet Union, the three NATO members are now eyeing Russia warily after its surprise annexation of Crimea last year.
According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, Vilnius has increased its defense spending by roughly 50 percent over the past year. It has also said that it is considering the reintroduction of conscription as a direct result of the perceived geopolitical threat.
kms/sms (AFP, dpa)