During her first official visit to Berlin on December 16 Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė signed a confirmation of the Leopard 2 tank acquisition contract.
“The agreement on Leopard acquisition is the largest contract Lithuania has ever signed. It is a pivotal stage of modernizing our armed forces and strengthening the regional security. The new tanks will facilitate integration and interoperability of Lithuanian and German militaries,” says Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė.
44 Leopard 2 tanks will be delivered to Lithuania. Increased defence budget has also enabled negotiations on an earlier delivery date.
Addition of a heavy element, i.e. tank capability, is required for the national Lithuania is developing division to be effective. Military advice and assessment of the National Defence Council conducted in January both pointed to the Leopard 2 tanks as the most efficient selection.
At the meeting with Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius D. Šakalienė also expressed gratitude for Germany’s leadership in ensuring security and defence of Europe and our region.
Minister D. Šakalienė assured B. Pistorius that the goal to station a German brigade in Lithuania remains as defined in the action plan last December. Minister noted that conditions for the military family members in Lithuania are being resolved as an element of the stationing considerations. Minister informed her counterpart about the civilian services and information package being prepared for the German servicemembers and their families.
D. Šakalienė also met with Federal Minister of State Tobias Lindner, security and military institutions, as well as defence industry representatives in Berlin.
Photos: courtesy of the Federal Ministry of Defence
