Lithuania has officially confirmed its purchase of German-made Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks and Swedish CV-90 infantry fighting vehicles. This significant investment is part of a broader effort to modernize the country’s armed forces in response to growing security threats.
The decision was announced following a meeting of the State Defense Council (VGT). The acquisition of these advanced military vehicles is expected to bolster Lithuania’s defense capabilities and deter potential aggression.
The exact number of Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks Lithuania is acquiring has not been officially announced. In the past, the Minister of National Defense has said he aimed to add 100 tanks to its forces. However, other reports have indicated that it may be half that quantity.
As a neighbor of Russia and Belarus, Lithuania has faced increasing security concerns following the invasion of Ukraine. The tracked infantry combat vehicles are planned to equip two Lithuanian Armed Forces battalions. The new units are scheduled to be fully operational by 2030.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet grew in importance as a research tool, he helped design the company's Forecast Intelligence Center and currently coordinates the EMarket Alert newsletters for clients. Richard also manages social media efforts, including two new blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, covering defense systems and international issues, and Flight Plan, which focuses on commercial aviation and space systems. For over 30 years, Richard has authored the Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International) services. The two books provide detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database that tracks all the contractors involved in the programs covered in the FI library. More recently he was appointed Manager, Information Services Group (ISG), a new unit that encompasses developing outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
