Lithuania to Purchase Armored Personnel Carriers for €1.5 Billion 'to Transport Soldiers to the Front Line and Back' 0 11

"According to the decision of the State Defense Council, we will acquire 936 'Patria' armored personnel carriers. By 2030, it is planned to purchase 300 units," said President Gitanas Nausėda after the council meeting.

He noted that one of the requirements for the manufacturer is that the armored vehicles must also be produced in Lithuania.

"We could integrate into the production chain of these armored personnel carriers," the head of state emphasized.

According to Nausėda, this purchase is one of the elements in the creation of a national division.

"This does not compete with our priority of further strengthening air defense. The allocated funds will be directed to the purchase of these armored personnel carriers; no additional money for these purposes is being requested or provided," he stated.

In turn, Defense Minister Robertas Šiuprys stated that the new armored personnel carriers will not replace the existing infantry fighting vehicles 'Vilkas' or the purchased CV90s.

"This is an addition; it is what the army needs to safely transport 20,000 or more soldiers to the front line and back. It also includes medical, air defense, and engineering capabilities," the minister said.

"This is a multifunctional platform for various purposes, on which MSHORAD systems can be installed, meaning it can also be used for air defense," he added.

He mentioned that many manufacturers' proposals were evaluated in the search for armored vehicles, and the optimal option 'Patria' was chosen, with negotiations on production in Lithuania to continue.

According to preliminary estimates, this purchase could cost Lithuania approximately €1.5 billion by 2036, Šiuprys noted.

As reported, the first division of the Lithuanian army was established last year, and its full formation, consisting of about 20,000 military personnel, is planned to be completed by 2030.

Lithuania's total defense budget this year is about €4.8 billion, or 5.38% of the gross domestic product.

Defense funding in Lithuania has been increased not only for the development of the national division but also for the procurement of new equipment, preparation of infrastructure for the Lithuanian army, and stationed allied troops in the country.