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Press Release, Vilnius, 13 August 2025: [auto-translated] With the new government, with the increase of the borrowing limit by EUR 800 million for defence purposes in 2025, the Ministry of National Defence was given the opportunity to bring forward advance payment for the acquisition of critical weapons platforms and equipment for strengthening the armed forces.
“Collective defence is our essential pillar, and Lithuania’s main contribution to it is a mechanised division that meets NATO standards. Tanks in this type of unit are the main platform. Their integration into the forces is the most time-consuming, so any delay is not possible,” Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė emphasises.
The decision is a step towards the implementation of the NATO Regional Defence Plans and the approval of the acquisition of the 44-strong Leopard 2 A8 tanks signed in Berlin by the Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė and German Defence Minister Boris Pistorius. It aims to accelerate the production of tanks, ensure their delivery by 2030, thus bringing the National Division to the full operational capability.
“The new Leopard 2 A8 tanks stand out not only for their powerful weaponry and mobility, but also by state-of-the-art protection systems. Sensors, laser warning sensors and other modern equipment will provide maximum safety even in the most difficult situations. Taking into account the currently rapidly developing drone and anti-drone industry, the most appropriate complex electronic and film-based anti-drone protection will be applied for that period of the tanks,” says Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė.
Library image of German Leopard 2 tanks forward deployed to reinforce Lithuania [© Bob Morrison]According to the Minister, the agreement on the acquisition of 44 Leopard 2 A8 tanks is not only a vital element for the efficiency of our division and a new stage of modernisation of the Armed Forces, but also a necessary component of cooperation with the German Division, which will defend Lithuania, ensuring the smooth overall functioning of Lithuania and the allies in defending our land.
Lithuania intends to make an advance payment for the tank battalion already in the third quarter of this year. The Law on Budget Approval for 2025-2027 has been granted the Ministry of Finance to borrow for national defence purposes, including military and military mobility infrastructure, and capital investment in the defence industry being developed in Lithuania. Lithuania already spends 4% of gross domestic product on defence this year, and next year it is planned that this indicator will increase to 5.25%.
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