L. Kasciūnas hopes to decide on the purchase of tracked armored vehicles in October

“It’s too early to talk about a contract, the analysis and consultations are currently ongoing and, obviously, we will get new information in the fall,” L. Kasciūnas told BNS. “I think we will make a decision in October.”

The minister confirmed that the combat vehicles are currently being selected from three manufacturers, but did not reveal the names.

Tracked armored vehicles were purchased for two battalions of the Iron Wolf Brigade – the Light Cavalry of King Mindaugas and the Infantry Battalion of Duke Vadoc. This technology is needed in order to create a division in the Lithuanian Army by 2030.

L. Kasčiūnas said that when deciding which manufacturer to choose, the price of the armored vehicle, the speed of production and whether the company agrees to transfer part of the equipment production to Lithuania will be important.

“This will be a huge advantage in deciding the type of platform,” the minister said.

He said not only would Lithuanian businesses benefit, but the country’s security would also increase as dependence on foreign suppliers would decrease.

L. Kasčiūnas said he was not sure whether all three manufacturers could offer to transfer production.

This year, Congress passed a law regulating the defense industry that defines similar agreements between the state and companies.

In law, industrial cooperation is known in the market as Offseti.e. the designated mechanism, when the state and the arms seller agree that part of the seller’s obligations (e.g. related to the repair or production of weapons) is to be performed with the help of Lithuanian companies.

The purchase of tracked infantry fighting vehicles is the second stage of the mechanization of the “Iron Wolf” Brigade.

In the first phase, wheeled armored vehicles named “Wolf” were purchased for the brigade’s other two battalions – the Udon Battalion of the Duke of Aljid and the Duchess of Birut.