The Lithuanian government has made a decision regarding its major purchase of battle tanks. Instead of choosing the US-made M1 Abrams, Lithuania has opted for Germany’s Leopard 2. This decision is part of the country’s military buildup in response to security concerns arising from the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Lithuania’s Defense Minister, Arvydas Anusauskas, confirmed the selection of Leopard 2 in a Facebook post. He stated that the decision was made by the Defense Resources Council after a detailed market analysis and military assessment. The evaluation criteria included factors such as price, maintenance costs, operational environment, mobility, safety, adaptability, firepower, and interoperability.
Among the contenders for the purchase were the M1 Abrams and South Korea’s Black Panther tank. Anusauskas intends to sign a letter of intent with the German Defense Ministry to proceed with the planned tank purchase.
Reports suggest that Lithuania plans to acquire up to 54 Leopard 2s to strengthen its ground forces. These tanks will be part of a new tank battalion, which will be integrated into a division-sized unit. In addition to the tanks, the unit will also possess infantry fighting vehicles and other weaponry.
However, Anusauskas has faced criticism from Lithuanian lawmakers for announcing the tank decision publicly. Critics argue that this move may undermine the government’s negotiating leverage in contract discussions with Germany. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda expressed his disapproval of the defense minister’s actions during his visit to a military construction project. Nauseda emphasized the importance of restricting the dissemination of sensitive information.
The timeline for the delivery of the new tanks to Lithuania remains uncertain. NATO member countries have been facing challenges in replenishing their arsenals after providing significant military aid to Ukraine. For instance, the Czech Republic is purchasing Leopard 2 tanks after donating its Soviet-designed T-72 tanks to Ukraine last year. In May, Germany ordered 18 Leopard 2s to replace tanks sent to Kiev and also secured options for up to 105 additional tanks.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces have experienced significant losses of their Western-supplied armored vehicles during a counteroffensive that started in early June. Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that at least 15 German-made Leopards were knocked out by Moscow’s forces in a single day. This highlights the importance of Lithuania’s decision to bolster its military capabilities by acquiring modern and capable battle tanks.
In conclusion, Lithuania has selected Germany’s Leopard 2 as its choice for battle tanks, prioritizing security concerns triggered by the Russia-Ukraine conflict. This decision was made after careful evaluation of various factors. While there have been criticisms regarding the public announcement of the decision, Lithuania remains focused on strengthening its ground forces and enhancing its defense capabilities.
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