Jane Edwards
Lithuania’s national defense ministry will purchase AeroVironment-built Switchblade 600 kamikaze drones from the U.S. government under an agreement valued at approximately $48 million.
The procurement contract also includes the delivery of launching and control equipment, maintenance package, personnel training and simulation system and seeks to help the Lithuanian government strengthen security and stability in the Baltic region, Lithuania’s defense ministry said Thursday.
Switchblade 600 is a long-range loitering munition that can fly for up to 40 minutes and comes with precision optics to enable warfighters to hit tanks, heavy-armored vehicles and other targets.
Arvydas Anusauskas, Lithuania’s defense minister, said the drones will enable the European country’s armed forces to destroy enemy tanks and other armored equipment at a distance of up to 40 kilometers.
Lithuania noted that it plans to buy a smaller version of the drone, Switchblade 300.
In November, the State Department approved Lithuania’s request to buy Lockheed Martin-built M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System launchers and related equipment from the U.S. government through a $495 million foreign military sales agreement.
Lithuania is also in the process of acquiring Joint Light Tactical Vehicles and Black Hawk helicopters as part of its military modernization efforts.
