On November 27 through 30 Chief of Defence of Lithuania Lieutenant General Jonas Vytautas Žukas is conducting first formal visit in Israel. During the visit Lithuanian Chief of Defence will meet with Minister of Defence of Israel Avigdor Lieberman and Chief of Staff of the Israel Defence Forces Lieutenant General Gadi Eizenkot to discuss topical aspects of bilateral and multilateral military cooperation, and tour units of the Israel Defence Forces and companies of defence industry.
Lt Gen J. V. Žukas is planned to visit Israeli Ground Forces Training Centre and one of the Southern Command's subordinate operational units to familiarise with methodology of training Israel's armed forces and reserve and principles of collective and individual training. Other plans on the visit agenda include: meeting with Ambassador of the Republic of Lithuania in Israel Edminas Bagdonas, visits to Israeli companies working in defence industry of interest to Lithuania: RADA Electronic Industries, ELBIT Systems, Rafael, Israel Military Industry, and Israel Aerospace Industries. The said enterprises manufacture tactical radars, anti-armour weaponry, turrets for military vehicles, mortar systems and their ammunition, and unmanned aerial vehicles.
Since 2013 the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence and Israel's enterprise ELBIT Systems have been implementing a joint project for upgrading self-propelled Tampella 120 mm mortars of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The project is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Boxer infantry fighting vehicles bought for the Lithuanian Armed Forces in 2017-20121 will be equipped with bus Samson 30 MK2 turrets with 30 mm guns and Spike-LR anti-tank system manufactured by Rafael enterprise of Israel.
Spokesperson for the Chief of Defence Captain Mindaugas Neimontas
Contacts: 00370 5 278 5091, 00370 682 25359, mindaugas.neimontas@mil.lt
Photo credit: Ieva Budzeikaitė
