Lithuanian army reinforces tactical communications with U.S. assistance

Lithuanian Army has received on Wednesday the first shipment of communications equipment purchased with the U.S. and other foreign assistance.

According to an announcement from Lithuania's defense ministry, the shipment includes tactical communications equipment Harris Falcon III. The equipment is to be distributed to various military units and to be tested during national military drill Iron Wolf this June, according to the ministry.

Lithuanian armed forces are to receive several more batches of tactical and satellite communications, battlefield management systems and surveillance equipment throughout the year.

The equipment has been procured under the U.S. European Reassurance Initiative (ERI) and from other foreign funds. The Baltic state is to receive foreign military assistance worth around 33 million U.S. dollars in 2016.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Juozas Olekas said the cargo proves the U.S. commitment to collective defense in the region.

"New tactical communications equipment will help Lithuanian military secure interoperability with its allies while delivering on common tasks," Olekas noted in the announcement.

Recently, the U.S. administration has announced planning to fourfold the ERI funding up to 3.4 billion U.S. dollars for fiscal year 2017 amid the U.S. efforts to increase its presence in Europe and Lithuania as well.

Lithuania, a NATO member since 2004, and the United States have strengthened their military cooperation in recent years amid increased geopolitical tensions in eastern Europe.

The U.S. armed forces have been rotating in Lithuania and attending joint military exercises since 2014. Endit