Tanks, BMPs and missiles: Lithuania significantly replenishes its arsenal at the expense of Western weapons

In particular, it is about Iris-T SLM anti-aircraft complexes that have proven themselves well in Ukraine, Leopard 2 tanks and Marder infantry fighting vehicles. Lithuania intends to significantly replenish the arsenal of weapons by supplying Western equipment. The Ministry of Defense of the country, under the leadership of Laurinas Kashchynasn, announced its intention to buy an Iris-T air defense system in Germany, as well as tanks, infantry combat vehicles and other military equipment.

This was reported on May 23 by Army Recognition. During a press conference with a German colleague Boris Pistorius Lithuanian, the Minister noted that the IRIS-T complex has proven himself well during hostilities in Ukraine. Lithuanian media clarify that it is a medium-range IRIS-T SLM air defense system. Earlier, Estonia and Latvia were announced about the joint purchase of Iris-T SLM.

Kashchynas also stressed that Lithuania has already made a decision to buy 55 major LEOPARD 2 combat tanks for a new tank battalion. For his part, Pistorius noted that Lithuania also shows interest in the acquisition of Skyranger's anti -aircraft tank. Currently, the armed forces of Lithuania are using an armored Boxer wheel as a armored personnel carrier. Machines are designed for Germany as a Skyranger carrier, and it is expected that the first unit will be set by the Bundesver this year.

In addition, Lithuania would also like to buy a Marder infantry fighting car. However, first you need to find out how many tanks of this type the German side can put. Pistorius also emphasized the importance of the operational compatibility of the Armed Forces of Lithuania and Germany, especially in the context of deployment of the German combat brigade in Lithuania in 2027.

Commenting on the initiative of Vilnius, the observers conclude that the increase in armed potential is in fear of Russia in the context of threats to the Suvenka corridor. This territory divides the Kaliningrad region, the Russian Federation and Belarus and is a zone of very high tension, as there are Russian, Belarusian troops and NATO troops nearby.