"We are pleased that Lithuanian Armed Forces' modernisation is progressing well. Short-range MANPADs GROM will meet the urgent operational needs of the Lithuanian Armed Forces and will particularly reinforce the defence Lithuanian Armed Forces units and objects from air attacks. Procurement of the short-range MANPADS is one of the top priorities in equipping the Lithuanian Armed Forces "- Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas says.
The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence contracted on buying the GROM short-range MANPADS for the Lithuanian Armed Forces with MESKO S.A., a Polish company, in September earlier this year. According to the procurement agreement, the Lithuanian Armed Forces will buy GROM launchers, missiles, maintenance equipment, field trainers, and simulators, including a logistic package, for total of 34,041 mln. EURO.
The GROM MANPADs are bought from the earlier programmed 130 million LTL that has been committed additionally for national defence this year. The first instalment this year will amount to 4.8 million EURO. The project is expected to be completed by 2021.
The GROM may be operated by small-sized tactical units deployed at a distance or separately from larger units; the procured GROM MANPADS will be used for equipping units of the Lithuanian Armed Forces that carry out that function.
The GROM is the third kind of missile air defence system in the Lithuanian Armed Force. It will complement the Raytheon FIM-92 Stinger MANPADS launchers and 21 Saab RBS 70. The capacity of the new equipment will enhance defence of the Lithuanian Armed Forces units against air attacks and reconnaissance missions from low-altitude flying aircraft and UAV's.
In early December several Lithuanian soldiers went for training to Polish Air Force training base in Koszaline
where they for a week have been training how to operate the system. Later they will pass their knowledge to other Lithuanian soldiers, who will operate this anti-aircraft defence system.
