US sends Abrams tanks and crews back to Lithuania

The U.S. Army plans to deploy two battalions to Lithuania in late October, including a heavy unit equipped with M1 Abrams tanks and other heavy weaponry and a supporting engineer battalion. Around 1,000 U.S. personnel are expected to take part in the regular nine-month rotation, maintaining an American presence broadly similar in size to previous deployments. Lithuanian officials say the engineer unit will support development of the country's military division, border protection and other defence projects. The rotation is separate from Lithuania's proposal for a permanent U.S. base, on which no decision has been announced.