Lithuania boosts Ukraine with undisclosed missile systems
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence announced the delivery of another weapons aid package to Ukraine. A photo of mysterious crates, the contents of which have not been precisely discussed, has appeared online. We explain what might be inside them.
The aid package includes MANPADS, which are portable anti-aircraft missile systems. However, according to the Ukrainian portal Militarnyi, "for security reasons, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence did not disclose which model of man-portable air defence system Ukraine received."
Mysterious Ukrainian crates. What weapons did Lithuania give?
MANPADS are weapons that have proven highly effective in the war between Ukrainians and Russians. There have been recordings showing successful ambushes on Russian aviation, such as the Su-25. These types of equipment allow for targeting enemy assets (such as planes, helicopters, or drones) with light anti-aircraft missiles. The missile is usually guided by infrared, and less commonly by a laser beam.
The range of such weapons depends on the specific MANPADS model. Lithuania has been using Swedish RBS 70, American FIM-92 Stinger, and Polish PPZR Grom for years. The latter appeared in the Lithuanian army in 2014. In 2023, another contract worth 20 million euros (30 million Canadian dollars) was signed, under which Lithuania was to receive more PPZR Grom units in 2024-2025. The range of this equipment, produced by S.A., spans from 0.5 to 5.5 kilometres. The mass of the set is approximately 19 kilograms.
Faithful ally of Ukraine
Lithuania is one of Ukraine's most faithful allies. Although it doesn’t have weapon reserves comparable to larger countries, in terms of GDP, it is among the nations giving the most to Ukraine.
"Lithuania continues to deliver vital support to Ukraine's defense. A new delivery of advanced portable air defence systems with missiles has reached Ukraine, strengthening its ability to counter Russia's brutal aggression," stated the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence in a communication issued on January 30th at Eastern Time.
Regarding military equipment, Lithuania has so far provided the Ukrainian side with, among other things, post-Soviet automatic weapons and large amounts of ammunition, anti-drone measures, logistical equipment, armoured vehicles (including M113 and M577), Panzermörser self-propelled mortars, Mi-8 helicopters, an L‑39ZA Albatros aircraft, and even modern NASAMS air defence missile systems.
