Lithuania to allocate 2 billion euros to tanks purchase

Lithuania plans to buy tanks for 2 billion euros, the country's largest defence purchase.

The announcement came from the chief advisor to the Lithuanian President Kęstutis Budrys, Delfi reports.

According to him, they plan to allocate about 2 billion euros for the purchase of tanks.

"This will be one of Lithuania's largest purchases - not only for the army but for Lithuania as a whole. We are talking about 2 billion euros - including not only the cost of tanks but also ammunition, logistics, and supplies. This is a big purchase," Budrys said.

National Defence Minister Arvydas Anušauskas mentioned on Monday after a meeting of the State Defence Council that a protocol of intentions for the purchase of tanks would soon be signed with German manufacturers.

However, Budrys said on Tuesday that no decision had yet been made on which tanks Lithuania might purchase.

Lithuanian Army Commander Valdemaras Rupshis announced in May the formation of a light infantry division comprising three brigades and a tank battalion in Lithuania. Rupshys emphasised that the formation of the tank battalion was necessary for the country, regardless of the decision to create a Lithuanian division.