Lithuania To Start Negotiations On Leopard Tank Purchase
The Lithuanian government has decided to proceed with the purchase of Leopard 2 main battle tanks from Germany, with its State Defense Council authorizing the start of negotiations for an order.
According to Lithuanian presidential adviser Kęstutis Budrys, the decision was made at a Tuesday meeting of Lithuania’s State Defense Council. Speaking to public broadcaster LRT, Budrys said that the Leopard 2 was “the most effective tank platform that meets the full range of criteria set by Lithuania”, adding that the final number of tanks to be procured and their cost would be decided during the negotiation process.
Other outcomes of the meeting include an agreement to establish a division-level artillery regiment, and expanding air defence and engineering battalions to regiment strength. A harbour and coastal defence service will be created under the command of the Lithuanian navy, while a Cyber Defence Board is to be formed.
According to Budrys, the council has agreed to increase the maximum number of conscripts per year by 2,000, describing it as a move towards general conscription. According to LRT, around 3,800 conscripts are currently called up every year.
The Lithuanian government sent a non-binding letter of intent to the German government in July 2023 for the possible purchase of Leopard 2s. At the time, officials in Vilnius stressed that the letter was not a final decision on the selection of the Leopard 2, due to a row on whether Lithuanian defense minister Arvydas Anušauskas had inappropriately disclosed the ministry’s preference for the Leopard over the American Abrams and Korean K2 Black Panther tanks that were also evaluated.
The Lithuanian Army is planning to procure up to 53 tanks as part of its plan to establish a fully operational division-sized unit by 2030. Once operational, the division will be the largest military unit in modern Lithuanian history, with a planned strength of 17,500 professional and mobilized soldiers in the event of a conflict.