“We are replacing the outdated, already morally worn-out M113s, which are still operational, but in the few years during which we will fully develop and integrate new platforms into our arsenal, the M113s will most likely be obsolete and it will be ineffective to repair them,” he told journalists in Kazlų Rūda on Wednesday.
According to the State Defense Council decision adopted on Wednesday, it is planned to acquire 300 “Patria” armored vehicles by 2030. In total, Lithuania intends to purchase 936 such armored vehicles.
According to representatives of the Ministry of Defense and the army, the new military equipment will not replace the already existing infantry fighting vehicles “Vilkas” or the CV90s being purchased.
According to R. Vaikšnoras, the “Patria” will be designated for infantry transport, medical, communications, and other specialized units.
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As BNS wrote, the Lithuanian Army’s First Division was established last year, and the division, which will have about 20,000 soldiers, is aimed to be fully developed by 2030.
The total defense budget for this year amounts to about 4.8 billion euros or 5.38 percent of the gross domestic product.
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