Lithuania continues to provide defense assistance to Ukraine to counter the Russian invasion.

Today, the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania announced that Lithuanian heavy mortars on the chassis of the M113A2 tracked armored personnel carrier had been delivered to Ukraine.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine received 12 units of M113: 10 units of 120-mm Panzermörser self-propelled mortars and 2 units of armoured command vehicles. The transfer of these weapons was announced last month.

The necessary ammunition for these mortars was also handed over to Ukraine.

“Lithuania continues to fulfill its obligations. I want to thank the soldiers of the Lithuanian army and specialists of the national defense system, who prepared and organized the logistical support in a short time,” Minister of National Defense Arvydas Anušauskas said.

Being mounted on the M113A2 chassis, the Panzermörser uses a 120 mm Tampella mortar with a maximum firing range of 6,500 – 7,200 meters. Ammunition consists of 60 min.

The mortar can accommodate a crew of 5 people.

According to open data, about 40 German Panzermörser self-propelled mortars are in service with the Lithuanian army. Lithuania received 42 such vehicles from Germany in 2005-2006.

In 2013, the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania signed a € 6.6 million deal with the Israeli Elbit for the modernization of the Panzermörser fleet. The updated vehicles entered the Lithuanian army in 2015.

The vehicles received a new digital fire control system. Devices for observing and adjusting fire were also improved. In addition, mortar barrels were replaced in the course of modernization.

It was reported that Lithuania had already handed over a total of 62 M113 armored personnel carriers to Ukraine.

Lithuania’s military assistance to Ukraine includes a variety of weapons, ammunition, thermal imaging, drones, anti-drone equipment, military training and other aid.