Lithuania plans to buy about 100 more infantry fighting vehicles from a German manufacturer, according to the Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas.
Lithuania plans to continue purchasing the same IFVs (named Vilkas, or Wolf) it will use to completely equip two battalions this year, Anusauskas said.
“A second phase of IFV procurements will be launched. They will be a little different from what they are now, since we need to take into account the lessons we learned during the war in Ukraine,” the minister told reporters on April 13, adding that Lithuania planned to buy “more than 100” IFVs.
“The total quantity, once these projects are finally completed, will exceed 200 Wolves,” Anusauskas said.
Currently, the delivery of the already purchased vehicles is delayed due to identified defects that need more time to be fixed. The minister said earlier the IFVS would be delivered to the army until the end of this year.
The newly acquired IFVs will be used to equip two more battalions of the Lithuanian army.
The acquisition process has been brought forward due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and after funding for Lithuania’s national defense was increased. (LRT/Business World Magazine)