"We are looking into the future prospects for cooperation between Lithuania and the NATO Support Agency. Your expertise in finding the most economically beneficial solutions in appropriately supplying the equipment and services needed for the Lithuanian Armed Forces is of tremendous importance to us," Minister J.Olekas said at the meeting.
Minister J.Olekas also pointed out further cooperation between Lithuania and the NSPA in the procurement of self-propelled howitzers, infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), and air defence.
Currently, Lithuania and the NSPA collaborate to fully prepare four Howitzer systems so as to ensure full Lithuania's readiness for Exercise Flaming Thunder due to take place in autumn. Lithuania was admitted to the PzH2000 self-propelled 155mm howitzer user project on October 21, 2015. Once a member of the project, Lithuania enjoys the same benefit and privileges as other participants, as it pursues the most economically advantageous solutions in servicing, procurement, maintenance, personnel training, transportation, etc., of the PzH2000 self-propelled howitzers.
While presenting the project on IFV procurement for the Lithuanian Armed Forces Minister J.Olekas pointed out Lithuania's intent to join the NSPA BOXER Programme in the nearest future.
The NSPA and the NATO Communications and Information Agency (NCIA) mediate for Lithuania in the implementation of the air defence radar programme: completed the procurement procedures, implements the purchase contract with a NATO manufacturer.
At the meeting Minister J.Olekas called for more manufacturers of Lithuania to be included in NSPA projects. "A closer cooperation and information sharing between Lithuanian manufacturers and the NSPA would empower Lithuanian representatives to expand businesses, production and reputation of Lithuanian manufacturers in international projects," Minister J. Olekas said.
Minister J.Olekas thanked the NATO Support Agency for the cooperation of the recent years in supplying the Lithuanian Armed Forces with military goods. In 2015 Lithuania launched procurement procedures for 5-tonne military trucks, sniper rifles, machine guns, and automatic grenade launchers via the NSPA.
