Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas indicated that the specifics, including the total cost and the number of tanks, are still to be finalized in the forthcoming negotiations.
“Our intention is creating a tank battalion, but much will depend on conditions, such as what price we agree on. So I can‘t name any details yet,” said Lithuanian Defence Minister Arvydas Anusauskas.
Despite the lack of official disclosure on the transaction details, Defence Industry Europe reported in July last year that the deal could involve acquiring up to 54 tanks, potentially costing around 2 billion EUR.
This procurement could be the largest in Lithuanian defense history, encompassing not just the tanks but also essential ammunition, logistics, and additional support resources.
The decision to opt for the German Leopard 2 was made after a thorough comparison with other contenders, notably the American Abrams and the South Korean K2 Black Panther.
According to Anusauskas, the Leopard 2 aligns best with the operational requirements set by the Lithuanian Defence Staff.
The exhaustive six-month analysis by the Lithuanian Armed Forces weighed various factors, including price, maintenance costs, operational environment, mobility, protection, adaptability, firepower, and interoperability, alongside an assessment of potential threats and required counter-capabilities.
