US delivers batch of Switchblade 600 strike drones to Lithuania
In short
Lithuania's Ministry of National Defence said the United States has delivered a batch of Switchblade 600 strike drones, the first such shipment to reach Lithuanian army warehouses. The ministry did not disclose how many drones were received. The supplier is US company AeroVironment under a contract signed at the end of 2022.
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The United States has delivered a batch of Switchblade 600 strike drones to Lithuania, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence said. The first batch of the drones has arrived at Lithuanian army warehouses. The ministry did not say how many drones were received. TASS referred to the delivery as Switchblade strike drones without naming the variant, while Kommersant and Vedomosti specified the Switchblade 600. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
The supplier is the US company AeroVironment, under a contract signed at the end of 2022, Kommersant and Vedomosti reported. According to Vedomosti, Lithuania is buying launch and control equipment for the drones from the United States along with a simulator for training personnel and a maintenance package. [ 2 , 3 ]
The defence ministry said the Switchblade 600 is a new-generation long-range drone with precision optics and an effective anti-tank warhead that can remain in the air for up to 40 minutes. According to the ministry, it can strike heavy armoured vehicles, including tanks, in part by attacking from above. [ 2 , 3 ]
“Thanks to the Switchblade 600 drones, the Lithuanian armed forces are gaining new strike capabilities. With their help, soldiers can quickly and precisely destroy enemy armoured vehicles from a safe distance,” defence minister Robertas Kaunas said, according to Kommersant, which cited LRT. “At the same time, this is another clear proof of the partnership between Lithuania and the United States.” [ 2 ]
Vedomosti noted that over the past three years Lithuania has acquired roughly €2bn of weapons and military equipment from the United States, including Javelin systems, JLTV armoured vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters, HIMARS systems and AMRAAM missiles for NASAMS air-defence systems. [ 3 ]
Why it matters
The delivery adds a new anti-armour capability to the armed forces of Lithuania, a NATO member and EU state bordering Russia and Belarus. Lithuania's defence minister framed it as evidence of the country's partnership with the United States, which has supplied it with about €2bn of weapons and military equipment over the past three years.
Key facts
- The United States delivered a batch of Switchblade 600 strike drones to Lithuania, the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence said. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The ministry did not specify the number of drones received. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The first batch of the drones arrived at Lithuanian army warehouses. [ 3 ]
- The supplier is US company AeroVironment; the contract was signed at the end of 2022. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Alongside the drones, Lithuania is buying launch and control equipment, a training simulator and a maintenance package from the United States. [ 3 ]
- The Switchblade 600 can stay airborne for up to 40 minutes and carries a precision anti-tank warhead capable of striking heavy armour, including tanks, including from above, according to the Lithuanian defence ministry. [ 2 , 3 ]
- Defence minister Robertas Kaunas said the drones give Lithuania's armed forces new strike capabilities and are further proof of partnership between Lithuania and the United States. [ 2 ]
- Over the past three years Lithuania has bought roughly €2bn of US weapons and military equipment, including Javelin systems, JLTV armoured vehicles, Black Hawk helicopters, HIMARS systems and AMRAAM missiles for NASAMS. [ 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The United States delivered a batch of Switchblade strike drones to Lithuania, announced by the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The number of drones in the delivery was not specified. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- US company AeroVironment is the supplier, under a contract signed at the end of 2022. [ 2 , 3 ]
- The drone can remain in the air up to 40 minutes and is equipped with an anti-tank warhead. [ 2 , 3 ]
Still unclear
- How many Switchblade drones Lithuania received in this delivery, and their value. The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence did not disclose the number, and none of the documents gives a figure or price.
- Whether the delivery contained only the Switchblade 600 variant. Kommersant and Vedomosti name the Switchblade 600 specifically, while TASS refers only to Switchblade strike drones without naming the variant.
- When the drones were handed over or arrived in Lithuania. The documents report the announcement on 7 October 2026 but give no date for the transfer itself.
What local media are saying
Timeline, local time
- TASS reports that the United States delivered a batch of Switchblade strike drones to Lithuania, without specifying the number. [ 1 ]
- Kommersant reports the delivery of Switchblade 600 drones, citing the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, AeroVironment as supplier and the contract signed at the end of 2022. [ 2 ]
- Vedomosti reports that the first batch has arrived at Lithuanian army warehouses and lists accompanying equipment purchases and earlier US arms deals. [ 3 ]