Lithuania will purchase 18 howitzers from France, continuing to strengthen its armed forces due to Russia's war against Ukraine, DPA reported.

The purchase of the French Cesar Mark II howitzers was agreed upon by the Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anushauskas and his French counterpart Sebastien Lecorneau during his visit to Paris.

The new French howitzers are still under development.

Lithuania will join the program to develop them, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense announced.

The truck-mounted 155 mm howitzers will replace the old howitzers, which have a shorter range, and will be delivered to Lithuania by 2027.

Lithuania will increase its defense spending to 3% for 2023.

Lithuania