The US State Department has approved two separate foreign military sales packages covering missile systems for Lithuania and the Netherlands, reinforcing NATO defense capabilities in Europe. Lithuania is cleared to receive 168 AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder tactical missiles in a package valued at $214 million, with RTX serving as the main contractor. The Baltic nation also requested 152 additional missiles, tactical guidance units, captive air training rounds, and support services. The new package builds on an earlier $19.5 million sale involving 16 Sidewinders and related logistics support. Although widely known as an air-to-air missile, the AIM-9X has also been adapted for ground-based air defense systems such as Lithuania’s NASAMS batteries. Meanwhile, the Netherlands has requested 530 AGM-114R2 Hellfire missiles manufactured by Lockheed Martin under a package worth an estimated $200 million. The deal also includes technical assistance from US Army security assistance offices and broader logistics support. Hellfire missiles are commonly employed from AH-64 Apache helicopters and MQ-9A Reaper drones, both operated by Dutch forces. Washington said both approvals support US foreign policy goals while improving allied military readiness. The sales reflect continued emphasis on strengthening NATO’s eastern flank and ensuring member states maintain credible air defense and precision strike capabilities amid evolving regional security concerns.
