On December 16, during an official visit to Germany, Lithuania’s newly sworn-in Defense Minister, Dovile Å akaliene, signed an agreement to purchase 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks.
During her visit to Berlin, Å akaliene met with her German counterpart, Boris Pistorius. Their discussions focused on defense cooperation between Lithuania and Germany, specifically regarding the deployment of a heavy maneuver brigade, consisting of 4,800 personnel from the German armed forces (Bundeswehr), to Lithuania in the following year. This initiative aims to reinforce NATO’s eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
Dovile Å akaliene stated that the contract for the Leopard 2 tanks represents the largest military acquisition in Lithuanian history. She emphasized its significance for the modernization of Lithuania’s military and enhancing regional security, indicating that the tanks would also improve the interoperability between the Lithuanian and German armed forces.
The Lithuanian Ministry of Defense did not disclose the financial details of the acquisition. Å akaliene was appointed after Lithuania’s general election on October 27, which was won by the Lithuanian Social Democratic Party, where she is also a member. Prior to the election, the State Defence Council had authorized her predecessor, Laurynas Kasciunas, to start the acquisition of both Leopard 2A8 tanks and CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.
The Leopard 2A8 tanks are manufactured by KNDS, while the CV90 infantry fighting vehicles are produced by BAE Systems Hägglunds. Both vehicle types will be integrated into Lithuania’s new Infantry Division, which will consist of two battalions.
The article was reported by Jaroslaw Adamowski, the Poland correspondent for Defense News.
