Lithuania’s Minister of National Defence, Dovilė Šakalienė, reached the nation’s largest deal to date with the acquisition of Leopard 2 tanks.
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Press Release, Vilnius, 17 December 2024: Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė reached Lithuania’s largest deal to date, acquisition of Leopard tanks, in Berlin. During her first official visit to Berlin on December 16 Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė signed a confirmation of the Leopard 2 tank acquisition contract.
“The agreement on Leopard acquisition is the largest contract Lithuania has ever signed. It is a pivotal stage of modernizing our armed forces and strengthening the regional security. The new tanks will facilitate integration and interoperability of Lithuanian and German militaries,” says Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė.
44 Leopard 2 tanks will be delivered to Lithuania. Increased defence budget has also enabled negotiations on an earlier delivery date. Addition of a heavy element, i.e. tank capability, is required for the national Lithuania is developing division to be effective. Military advice and assessment of the National Defence Council conducted in January both pointed to the Leopard 2 tanks as the most efficient selection.
At the meeting with Federal Minister of Defence, Boris Pistorius, D. Šakalienė also expressed gratitude for Germany’s leadership in ensuring security and defence of Europe and our region. Minister D. Šakalienė assured B. Pistorius that the goal to station a German brigade in Lithuania remains as defined in the action plan last December. Minister noted that conditions for the military family members in Lithuania are being resolved as an element of the stationing considerations. Minister informed her counterpart about the civilian services and information package being prepared for the German servicemembers and their families.
D. Šakalienė also met with Federal Minister of State Tobias Lindner, security and military institutions, as well as defence industry representatives in Berlin.
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Lithuania Procures LEOPARD 2 A8 MBTs from KNDS
KNDS Press Release, Munich and Koblenz, 19 December 2024: On behalf of the Lithuanian Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence (DMA), the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has signed a contract with KNDS Deutschland for the delivery of 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 tanks to the Lithuanian Army.
This is the first time in its history that Lithuania has set up an armoured unit and so becomes the 23rd LEOPARD 2 user nation. The contract is worth EUR 950 million and, in addition to the LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tanks, includes a comprehensive spare parts and logistics package.
Lithuania was the first nation to implement the plan to procure the LEOPARD 2 A8 main battle tank together with the Federal Republic of Germany as part of the so-called Common Procurement Agreement, thus making a significant contribution to Europe’s common defence capability. Further countries are planning to join this joint procurement project.
This was preceded by the signing of the Purchase Confirmation by Lithuanian Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė for the procurement of the 44 LEOPARD 2 A8 in the presence of Defence Minister Boris Pistorius.
The Lithuanian army will receive the latest version of the LEOPARD 2 main battle tank. As is already the case for Norway and Germany, the completely new LEOPARD 2 A8 will be equipped with the APS TROPHY active protection system, among other things. This provides it with the most modern and effective 360° protection against shoulder-launched anti-tank missiles and drones.
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