Lithuania and Germany are advancing in final negotiations for the assembly of their new 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks, a milestone that would accelerate deliveries—initially scheduled for 2030—and strengthen the Baltic country’s logistical autonomy. Under the current plan, the first batch of armored vehicles would arrive in 2029, with the full battalion operational by 2034. This development would reduce dependence on external supply chains and consolidate deterrence capabilities amid a regional scenario marked by tensions with Belarus and Russia.

The decision is framed by the deterioration of the security environment on NATO’s eastern flank, particularly due to increasing military activity in Belarus and Russia. The strategically important Suwałki Gap, the 100-kilometer corridor connecting the Baltic states with the rest of the Alliance, remains a critical point in Lithuania’s defense planning. The war in Ukraine, which began in 2022, has accelerated Vilnius’ efforts to modernize its armored forces as a deterrent element.

The agreement, managed through the European consortium KNDS (formed by Nexter and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann), retains its original value of 950 million euros and includes a full logistics package with spare parts and maintenance. However, the most significant development is the plan for part of the assembly to take place in Lithuania, in collaboration with local companies not yet specified.

Lithuanian Defense Minister Dovilė Šakalienė confirmed in statements to the Baltic News Service (BNS) that KNDS representatives will visit the country “in the coming weeks” to coordinate technical details. “It is very positive, because it means a significant portion of the contract’s value will stay in Lithuania,” she emphasized.

The program foresees the first Leopard 2A8 units arriving in 2028, with most deployed in 2029 and the rest in 2030. These tanks will form the core of a new mechanized infantry unit, which is already under development. To speed up the process, the Lithuanian government will make an advance payment in the coming months.

The infrastructure needed for assembly and maintenance will be supported by Lithuania Defense Services, a joint venture established in 2022 by Rheinmetall and KMW (now part of KNDS) to support NATO equipment in the region, according to open sources.

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