Lithuania plans to procure a second batch of 120 Boxer Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV) (ESuTreported). The preparations for the conclusion of a procurement contract are now in the final phase with negotiations between the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense, the European procurement organization OCCAR and the manufacturer ARTEC, as announced by the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense (Krašto apsaugos ministerijos, KAM). The goal is to sign the contract in the fall.
Lithuania ordered the first batch of 88 boxers in 2016. Delivery began in 2019, but has not yet been completed due to defects. Now KAM announced that the last 23 Boxer IFV should be extradited to Lithuania this summer.
Der größte Teil der erworbenen Schützenpanzer (65 Stück, Red.) auf Boxer-Plattform sei bereits ausgeliefert und werde unter dem Namen Vilkas für die vollständige Ausrüstung des Algirdas-Infanteriebataillons der Infanteriebrigade „Eiserner Wolf“ der litauischen Streitkräfte verwendet. Die im Sommer eintreffenden Fahrzeuge sollen beim Birutė-Uhlan-Bataillon in Dienst gestellt werden.
The Vilkas armored personnel carriers are manufactured by the German ARTEC consortium (consisting of Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann) according to the requirements of the Lithuanian armed forces. The vehicles feature Rafael Samson Mk II fully stabilized unmanned turrets, US-made 30mm MK-44S cannons and Israeli Spike LR anti-tank missiles, as well as other onboard specialized equipment and electronic systems.
According to KAM, negotiations on the second procurement phase began last year. The Lithuanian side is currently awaiting ARTEC's commercial offer in order to enter the next phase of negotiations.
As KAM writes, the Lithuanian industry should participate in the production of boxers. The scope and content of the Lithuanian industrial participation are currently being coordinated with the German companies Rheinmetall and Krauss-Maffei Wegmann. The negotiations are not only about the contribution that Lithuanian companies could make to Boxer production, but also about the possibility of more extensive cooperation through integration into the international supply chains of German manufacturers.
In order to improve the combat effectiveness of the Lithuanian land forces, Lithuania intends to reorganize the existing forces into a division with a strength of 17,500 soldiers. The division is to be built up from the three brigades Iron Wolf (Rukla), Griffin (Klaipeda) and Aukštaitija Reserve (Vilnius) and the enablers such as air force and special forces. A significant portion of the weapons and equipment acquired are categorized as divisional assets, such as the HIMARS, French Caesar wheeled howitzers, Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicles, UAVs and combat drones.
“We must already start investing in heavy maneuvering units by buying tanks, the system we didn't have before. We also need to invest in the armament and equipment of the units that make this "difficult transition" possible - air defense, indirect fire support, military engineering and logistics systems," Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas said. “The formation of divisions will not only allow us to ensure more efficient control and training of our armed forces, but also better interoperability with NATO. The allies welcome and support this step,” Anušauskas continued.
According to KAM, the project to set up a division will be implemented and financed in stages. The first phase will begin in 2024 with the provision of heavy weapons and equipment for maneuver units. The second stage would acquire equipment and weapons provided by the Allies up to that point. The Lithuanian Armed Forces division is expected to reach full operational capability by 2030.
Gerhard Heiming
Related topics
First Boxer infantry fighting vehicles delivered to Lithuania
Purchase contract for 45 boxers for Slovenia ready to be signed
delivered 500 GTK Boxer
First Boxer job to WFEL
2. Lot of boxers delivered complete
Boxer with unmanned infantry turret
Boxer production begins in UK
500th Boxer rolls off the production line – up to 1,000 more could follow
528 boxers in four versions for the British Army