Lithuania continues actively rearming in case of russian invasion. So it conducts negotiations with Israeli Rafael on new weapons orders, specifically further procurement of additional Spike LR2 ATGMs.
ES&D writes this citing own sources in Israeli Defense Ministry. It is noted country recently received batch of these systems from €3 million contract within framework agreement worth at least €12 million.
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Defense Express notes that although in Ukraine anti-tank missile system use seriously decreased in favor of FPV drones, they continue being purchased abroad, including by NATO countries. Ultimately this is quite convenient and effective weapon for countering adversary armored vehicles.
Worth mentioning Spike LR2 belongs to 5th generation ATGMs and besides fire-and-forget option has non-line-of-sight engagement capability. Range at that comprises up to 5.5 km when using ground launchers.
Thus system crew can risk less during attack on enemy armored vehicles. At the same time, missile weaponry itself provides more penetration than FPV drone. Meaning more capabilities for countering russian tanks and other vehicles during invasion result.
Lithuania ordered Spike family in 2017 and uses them from its Vilkas wheeled IFVs — local version of German GTK Boxer with Israeli Rafael Samson RCWS combat module. The latter besides ATGMs have 30mm Mk44 Bushmaster II gun and coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.
Meaning Lithuanian military will have capability to hunt rashist tanks and armored vehicles using heavy wheeled AFVs. This creates question regarding vulnerability against FPV drones, but during rapid armored group advance, adversary may have time windows when FPV operators have not yet managed to deploy, giving window for ATGM work.
Recall Lithuania also plans to purchase hundreds of Patria 6x6 wheeled APCs and is close to signing contract for CV90 tracked IFVs. Also it continues ordering M142 HIMARS MLRS, although first ones under 2022 contract were received only this year.
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