Lithuanian troops to be equipped with German pistols

The Lithuanian army will be equipped with new pistols after a contract with German company Heckler&Koch on the acquisition of SFP9 SF Paddle pistols was signed at the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defense on Wednesday.

Valued at around 1.57 million euros, the contract also includes a clause on the possibility to procure more pistols, if necessary. The contract also covers training on the use of the new pistols that will be delivered by the end of 2021.

"The decision to buy new pistols for Lithuanian troops was made to renounce pistols of different calibers, currently used by the Lithuanian army, and to move to pistols of the single 9x19 mm caliber, putting still usable weapons into reserve and replacing expired ones," the ministry said in a statement.

The German pistols were picked out of 13 models.

Currently, the Lithuanian army used Austrian Glock 17s, American Colt 1911s and Czech CZ 75s.