Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas believes that Lithuania should not rush to buy tanks for a newly established battalion without first ensuring that its armed forces are adequately equipped with air defence systems.
The minister made these remarks after it emerged that Lithuania will not be able to develop a military division by 2030 following the authorities’ decision to split the procurement of German-made Leopard 2 tanks into phases.
According to Kasčiūnas, the decision to phase the procurement process aims to speed up the acquisition of a third battery of NASAMS medium-range air defence systems, for which Lithuania signed a purchase contract earlier this autumn.
“I can’t hinge our defence policy on a tank battalion, seeing how the war is evolving, how methods of warfare are changing, how heavy equipment is breaking down in Ukraine and how critical it is to tackle air threats, and knowing the huge vacuum and shortfall in air defence across NATO,” the minister told the radio Žinių Radijas.
“You can’t invest everything into one area – you have to see the whole picture. That’s why a gradual move makes much more sense and, I believe, is wiser,” he added.
Lithuanian officials had previously decided that the military division would achieve full operational capability by 2030. However, Kęstutis Budrys, President Gitanas Nausėda’s chief national security adviser, said after this week’s State Defence Council meeting that under current conditions, this will only be possible in 2036 to 2040.
According to Kasčiūnas, the current plans call for the necessary number of tanks for one company to be delivered by 2030, enabling the division to operate at “medium-level capacity”.
“This is also a significant force that, if needed, will fight the enemy, but our goal, of course, is to deter the enemy together with our allies,” he said.
The first company of tanks is expected to arrive in Lithuania in 2029, with a full tank battalion to be formed in 2034.
‘No point of no return’
As part of the development of the division, the State Defence Council also decided to start talks with the Swedish manufacturer for the purchase of CV90 tracked infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) for two battalions.
Lithuania already has two battalions equipped with Boxer wheeled IFVs, named Vilkas (Wolf), built to meet its specifications.
According to Kasčiūnas, the decision to negotiate specifically for CV90 vehicles was driven solely by military advice.
“The CV90 has proven itself in Ukraine, has combat experience, and the feedback has been positive,” he said.
Kasčiūnas noted that the 30 mm ammunition that US defence giant Northrop Grumman is planning to produce in Lithuania would be suitable for both Boxers and CV90s.
However, the minister emphasised that starting negotiations with the Swedish manufacturer does not guarantee a purchase.
“No point of no return has been reached,” he said.
Kasčiūnas added that the agreed price and whether the Swedish manufacturer will agree to outsource part of the contract value to Lithuanian companies, such as carrying out assembly work or setting up a CV90 repair base in Lithuania – will be important when it comes to making a final decision on the acquisition.
“It is an important criterion and a task for us to make industrial cooperation an integral part of the entire contract. This is our negotiating position,” he said.
The final acquisition prices for neither the tanks nor the IFVs are currently known.
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