Lithuania is replacing its ageing fleet of M113 tracked personnel carriers with Finnish-made Patria armoured vehicles as part of a wider military modernisation programme, said the country’s chief of defence.
General Raimundas Vaikšnoras said on Wednesday that the M113 vehicles were becoming both physically and technologically obsolete.
“While they are still in service today, maintaining them will become inefficient in the coming years as new platforms are introduced,” he said.
Under a decision approved by Lithuania’s State Defence Council, the country plans to acquire 300 Patria armoured vehicles by 2030, with a total planned purchase of 936 units.
Military officials said the new vehicles would not replace Lithuania’s existing Vilkas infantry fighting vehicles or the CV90 combat vehicles currently being procured.
According to Gen Vaikšnoras, the Patria fleet will be used not only for infantry transport, but also for medical evacuation, communications and other specialist military functions.
Lithuania established its First Division last year as part of efforts to expand and strengthen the armed forces. The division is expected to comprise around 20,000 troops and reach full operational capability by 2030.
The country has sharply increased defence spending in response to regional security concerns linked to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. This year’s defence budget stands at approximately €4.8bn, equivalent to 5.38% of gross domestic product.
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