Slovenia is interested in Lithuania’s experience with the Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicle procurement project as it is developing one on its own. Vice Minister of National Defence Vilius Semeška walked State Secretary at the Ministry of Defence of Slovenia Uroš Lampret through the course of implementation of the important Lithuanian Armed Forces modernization project on December 14 during his visit in Vilnius. Slovenia plans acquiring BOXER Infantry Fighting Vehicles and selected the variant with an integrated turret. Since Lithuania has procured and currently is the only user of exactly the same weaponry system, Slovenia takes great interest in the Lithuania’s experience with it.
“Slovenia’s interest in our experience with acquiring the Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicles reflects Lithuania’s determination to develop a particularly unique weaponry system that, however, is no less on point to the militaries of other NATO allies as it combines well critical characteristics of mobility and relevant combat capabilities in a cutting-edge technology product,” said Vice Minister V. Semeška.
The Vilkas that Lithuania procures a variant of the basic Boxer infantry fighting vehicle. The variant of Boxer IFV with turret w s not on the market at the time the contract was signed. The vehicles were designed and manufactured according to Lithuania’s order requirements in close coordination with representatives of the Ministry of National Defence and the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The Vilkas IFVs are made by a German manufacturer ARTEC.
The acquired tactical vehicle system is a new derivative, therefore there have been a few challenges in the manufacturing process where different systems had to be integrated. According to Vice Minister of National Defence Vilius Semeška, the infantry fighting vehicle manufacturing process has not been halted but the new vehicles are not being delivered to Lithuania yet because of the detected defects which requires more time. The global pandemic and consequently disrupted supply chains also play a role. The manufacturer works hard to ensure that the project is implemented fluently and Lithuania would receive combat equipment that meets top quality standards.
The Vilkas Infantry Fighting Vehicle derivative is made by German consortium ARTEC according to specific requirements of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The vehicles are equipped with Israeli-made turrets, U.S.-made 30 mm MK-44S cannons and Israeli-made anti-armour Spike LR missiles, as well as with other specialized equipment and electronic systems. Implementation of the contract is supervised and implemented by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation.
The Vilkas vehicles will be dedicated to two units of the Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf: Lithuanian Grand Duke Algirdas Mechanised and the Grand Duchess Birutė Uhlan Batallion.
