The Lithuanian government has approved an additional investment of €187.7 million for the acquisition of priority military equipment, with a particular focus on infantry fighting vehicles and air defense systems.
The funds will be used for advance payments on 27 Vilkas combat vehicles and the medium-range air defense system NASAMS.
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According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, the allocation is intended to ensure quicker delivery of equipment deemed essential to the Army. “In this case, it refers to 27 additional Vilkas combat vehicles, scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029, as well as the NASAMS system, which we expect to receive in 2028,” said Defense Minister Dovile Šakalienė.
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Deputy Finance Minister Darius Sadeckas explained that the move follows an increase of €800 million in the state’s debt ceiling, approved last year. “This allocation is the first to be financed under the new borrowing limit. It allows us to meet contractual obligations with suppliers on time, ensuring that critically important weapons and military equipment arrive as planned,” he said.
According to the timeline, Lithuania will pay €150 million as an advance for the new combat vehicles and €37.7 million for the NASAMS systems in the second quarter of this year, with both acquisitions aimed at strengthening the National Infantry Division.
Vilkas: the Lithuanian Boxer adapted for modern combat
The Vilkas is a modified version of the Boxer armored vehicle, tailored to the requirements of the Lithuanian Army. It is equipped with a Samson Mk2 combat module from Israeli company Rafael, featuring a 44 mm MK-30S automatic cannon, a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and two Spike LR anti-tank missiles.
The vehicle retains the high mobility of the original Boxer, powered by an MTU 8V199 TE20 diesel engine delivering 720 hp, paired with an Allison HD4070 automatic transmission. It can reach speeds of up to 105 km/h with a range of up to 1,000 km.
The approval of the budget for the 2025–2027 period grants the Ministry of Finance the authority to take out loans for national defense, dual-use transportation infrastructure, and strategic investments in the defense industry.
Source: Lithuanian Ministry of Defense. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
