Lithuania approved for anti-tank weapon buy

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21 (UPI) -- The U.S. State Department has approved the possible sale of Javelin missiles and launchers to Lithuania through the Foreign Military Sales program.

The deal is for 220 anti-tank missiles, 74 launch command units and 10 fly-to-buy missiles for an estimated $55 million.

"The proposed sale directly supports U.S. national security interests by bolstering the Lithuanian military's ability to effectively defend its border and effectively coordinate regional border security with its Baltic neighbors," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in its notification to Congress.

"Supporting the Lithuanian Land Force's modernization also supports the fielding of forces better able to contribute to NATO operations in the future."

DSCA is the military agency that manages the Foreign Military Sales program.

Javelin is a man-portable anti-tank weapon system made by Raytheon and Lockheed Martin. It has an effective firing range of more than 2,700 yards.

Lithuania, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is modernizing its defense forces following Russia's unilateral annexation last year of Ukraine's Crimea region.