The Ministry of National Defence has finished the procurement of the Boxer-Vilkas IFVs: last vehicles arrived in Lithuania late last year completing the delivery of the 89 purchased Infantry Fighting Vehicles and 2 prototype vehicles. Two battalions of the Iron Wolf Brigade have been full furnished with the new equipment. Minister of National Defence Arvydas Anušauskas reviewed the Lithuanian Armed Forces acquisition of critical importance saying that combat power of a brigade upgraded with such equipment matched top NATO standards.
“Our Infantry Fighting Vehicles boasting superior armor and crew protection against mines are among the best across NATO. These IFVs, the new Joint Light Tactical Vehicles JLTV, PzH2000 howitzers, Javelin anti-tank unit and the RBS-70 short-range air defence unit means the Iron Wolf Brigade is a NATO brigade with the most advanced equipment and now multifold more capable,” Minister says.
A. Anušauskas notes that the impressive results required significant effort over the past years. The ministry of National Defence conducted intense negotiations with the manufacturers in 2021-2022 agreeing on the desired system upgrades and additional test trials because the Vilkas IFVs delivered by 2020 had flaws. As a result of the upgrades, all the Vilkas IFVs have no operation restrictions since late 2022.
“The number of infantry fighting vehicles in our Armed Forces have quadrupled in three years and all operation restrictions have been fixed. The IFVs are no capable of destroying tanks and other heavy armor targets with Spike missiles and neutralize smaller, lighter or not armored targets with the 30 mm cannon at the same time. Our “Wolves” will also get drone jamming and other electronic defence upgrades,” says A. Anušauskas and also underscores the importance of additional procurements carried out in the recent years in support of the Vilkas IFV use.
“Last three years saw implementation of infrastructure projects that had been stuck due to low financing until 2021: garages and maintenance facilities for the Vilkas IFVs were constructed to make sure the equipment is used efficiently for many years. We have also acquired the IFV ammunition, 30 mm rounds and Spike missiles, over the past years, as well as spares,” Minister points out.
The Vilkas project conducted under contracts signed back in 2016 has cost Lithuania approx. EUR 670 million. The amount covers not just the IFVs but also logistical support, spare parts and the ammunition in full.
Photo credit: MoD/SSgt A. Čemerka
