Overview
- The State Department notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Lithuania worth an estimated $214 million for AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles and support, with RTX named as the contractor.
- The package adds 152 tactical missiles to an earlier case and brings the combined total to 168 missiles, 10 guidance units, and 6 captive air training missiles, plus training, spares, and logistics support.
- U.S. officials said the transfer supports a NATO ally, does not change the regional military balance, and will not reduce U.S. defense readiness.
- The AIM-9X Block II is a short-range interceptor that can also be launched from NASAMS, a ground-based air defense system Lithuania has begun fielding to counter aircraft, cruise missiles, and drones.
- Lithuania is expanding a layered air defense network and has pledged 5% to 6% of GDP for defense from 2026 to 2030, with recent buys that include additional short-range missiles and other systems.