The Government of Lithuania confirmed that it will advance the payments corresponding to the acquisition of 44 new Leopard 2A8 tanks from Germany, with the aim of accelerating production and ensuring their delivery and incorporation into the Lithuanian Army before 2030. The measure is part of the increase in the defense borrowing limit, which was expanded by 800 million euros for 2025.

The Minister of National Defense, Dovilė Šakalienė, stated that the tanks constitute the central platform of the country’s future mechanized division, a unit that must meet NATO standards. “Their integration into the forces is the one that requires the most time, therefore no delay is acceptable,” she declared.

The bilateral agreement with Germany was signed in Berlin between Šakalienė and her counterpart, Boris Pistorius. The contract, valued at 950 million euros, will be managed through the European consortium KNDS (Nexter and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) and includes a complete logistical package with spare parts and maintenance. Part of the assembly will be carried out in Lithuania, in cooperation with local companies, which will allow the Baltic country to strengthen its logistical autonomy.

According to the established timelines, the first batch of armored vehicles would arrive in 2028, with most deployed in 2029 and final delivery in 2030. The original plan foresaw the complete battalion being operational in 2034. With the advance payments, Vilnius seeks to reduce this margin and ensure the full operational capability of its mechanized division in the next decade.

The Leopard 2A8s will be equipped with advanced security systems, including sensors, laser warning devices, and electronic and kinetic anti-drone technologies, whose integration will be adjusted to industrial developments during the production period.

The decision responds to a regional security environment marked by increased military activity in Belarus and Russia, as well as by the war in Ukraine. The strategic Suwałki Gap —the only land corridor connecting the Baltic states with the rest of NATO— remains a critical point in Vilnius’ defense plans.

Lithuania is already allocating 4% of its gross domestic product to defense in 2024 and plans to raise that figure to 5.25% in 2025. The approved budget legislation also allows for loans to be requested for infrastructure linked to military mobility and for investments in the national defense industry.

*Cover image obtained from the official X account of the Ministry of Defense of Lithuania

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