Lithuanian, Estonian defense chiefs discuss joint defense projects, support to Ukraine

VILNIUS - The Lithuanian and Estonian chief of defense met in Vilnius on Friday and discussed bilateral military cooperation, joint projects, the regional security situation, joint exercises, and support to Ukraine.

"We discussed not only ways to bolster our capabilities, but also the NATO defense and deterrence concept in our region. A lot of attention was paid to the issue of support to Ukraine, finding the best solutions both for the supply of arms and ammunition and for the training of troops," the commander of the defense forces of Lithuania, Lt. Gen. Valdemaras Rupsys, was quoted as saying in the army statement released after the meeting.

"I can say that Estonia, with its size and available military capabilities, has been an exemplary supporter of the Ukrainian army," he added.

One of the issues discussed at the meeting with commander of the Estonian defense forces Lt. Gen. Martin Herem was the cooperation between the three Baltic states on the acquisition of the M142 HIMARS multiple rocket launching systems.

Last year, the chiefs of defense of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia agreed to jointly develop a missile defense capability in the Baltic states.

Established in the fall of 2021, a trilateral Baltic working group is now assessing the technical, operational and legal requirements for such a multi-functional missile launcher, carrying out an analysis of possible missile defense architecture in the region, and conducting initial discussions with the US on the possible purchase of such weaponry.