October 20, another 42 U5000 Unimog, 5-ton capacity trucks additionally purchased by the Lithuanian Armed Forces were delivered to Lithuania. The tactical vehicles have been procured from the German Daimler Trucks AG manufacturer in the ongoing effort to modernize the Lithuanian Armed Forces and update the Lithuanian Armed Forces military vehicle fleet.
“We attach great importance to the efforts to equip the Lithuanian Armed Forces with modern weaponry, reliable vehicles and military equipment, therefore our success in it advances our strategic goals, namely, to strengthen Lithuanian Armed Forces capability to ensure reliable deterrence an defence. We also take great care that the national defence funding is used responsibly and efficiently,” Vice Minister Vilius Semeška says.
The truck delivery has been made under the successful contract signed back in 2015 with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). The NSPA collects the requirement from across NATO and carries out large-scale acquisitions, as a result, the price per unit is considerably lowered. Implementation of the contract has already resulted in the delivery of 340 Unimog U5000 trucks, the 42 trucks received Wednesday are an extension of that contract with Daimler Trucks AG. The contract also covers maintenance during the first 15 years of exploitation, as well as special tool, testing equipment, and other guarantees. The value of the contract is approx. EUR 80 million.
The new trucks will be delivered to the Lithuanian Land Force and supplement the fleet of the same basic technical characteristics that military personnel know well. Trucks are among the most used vehicles in the Lithuanian Armed Forces so the demand is very high. The type of vehicle is used for routine tasks, logistical support, personnel transportation.
Daimler AG ZETROS 3643 tractor trucks with flatbed trailers bought last year as part of the auto fleet modernization effort are successfully in service in the Lithuanian Armed Forces, as well as special-purpose AROCS trucks for platform and container transportation.
Germany has been Lithuania’s partner in updating the Armed Forces for many years, providing such assets as the Vilkas infantry fighting vehicles, Pz 2000 self-propelled howitzers, M577 armored personnel carriers, etc.
