According to the Ministry of National Defence, during the visit Kaunas will meet with US Under Secretary of War for Policy Elbridge Colby and members of Congress Patty Murray and Roger F. Wicker.
The meetings will focus on Lithuanian-US security and defence cooperation, the US military presence in Lithuania, the security situation and Lithuania’s role as an ally.
The defence minister will also meet with representatives of US defence companies Lockheed Martin, Palantir, Northrop Grumman, Mach Industries and Epirus Inc.
According to the Defence Ministry, Lithuania has purchased around EUR 2 billion worth of weapons and equipment from the United States over the past three years, making it the largest buyer of US arms among the Baltic States.
Lithuania is buying Javelin anti-tank missile systems, JLTV armoured vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters, HIMARS rocket artillery systems and AMRAAM missiles for NASAMS medium-range air defence systems from the United States.
During the visit, the defence minister will also visit the Pennsylvania National Guard, where he will meet with its commander, Major General John Pippy.
The Pennsylvania National Guard has cooperated with Lithuania under the State Partnership Program since 1993. The cooperation includes the development of Lithuania’s national division, training for Black Hawk helicopter pilots and technicians, joint exercises and the exchange of crisis-management experience.