As the Ministry of National Defence is in negotiations on the second stage of Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicle acquisition, The Infrastructure Management Agency signed a contract with Jungtiniai Projektai UAB on constructions of IFV repair shop at Rukla.
A repair yard for armored tracked and wheeled equipment and trucks is planned to be built on the territory of the Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised Infantry Battalion. The facility will also include a carwash, equipment shelter, quarters for vehicle technical service and painting. With the estimated overall area of approx. 5000 square meter, it will make the largest repair shop in the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
“The future facility is closely linked to the IFV acquisition programme already underway in the Lithuanian Armed Forces which is critically important for national security. The repair yard will ensure technical maintenance of the combat equipment of the Lithuanian Armed Forces,” says Vice Minister of National Defence Vilius Semeška.
The constructions are planned to be completed next July. The total value of the project is EUR 12 million.
The Ministry of National Defence initiated negotiations on the second round of Vilkas IFVs. According to Vice Minister, the contract on additional vehicles could be signed as soon as this summer. Over 120 armored infantry fighting vehicles of Boxer type are planned to augment the Lithuanian Armed Forces capabilities. Part of them will be armed with a 30 mm cannon and another part – with 12.7 mm machine-guns.
IF the contract is signed, the new batch of VIlkas IFVs would begin arriving in late 2023 – early 2024.
