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Lithuania Orders 27 Boxer Vilkas IFVs and NASAMS Air Defense Systems to Equip its Future Joint Military Division.
On April 24, 2025, the Lithuanian government officially approved the allocation of an additional €187.7 million in funding for the procurement of 27 Boxer Vilkas infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and NASAMS air defense systems. This strategic decision is part of an accelerated effort to enhance national defense capabilities to ensure the timely delivery of these key assets by the end of the decade. The funding, drawn from a loan package dedicated specifically to military needs, will enable advance payments that place Lithuania in a favorable position within international production schedules. The procurement represents a further step in the development of a national combined arms division designed to be interoperable with NATO and capable of responding independently to contemporary threats on Europe’s eastern flank.
Specifically, the procurement includes 27 additional Boxer Vilkas IFVs, with deliveries planned between 2027 and 2029. (Picture source: Lithuanian MoD)
This exceptional funding will be directed by the Ministry of National Defense (KAM) to cover advance payments for two major armament programs: the acquisition of combat vehicles configured for engineering missions and the procurement of medium-range air defense systems. Specifically, it involves 27 additional Boxer Vilkas IFVs, scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029, and NASAMS systems expected by 2028. According to Minister of National Defense Dovilė Šakalienė, these early payments ensure Lithuania secures a priority place in the suppliers' production and delivery lines, a key factor in meeting the deadlines set for enhancing military capabilities.
The Boxer Vilkas is Lithuania’s customized version of the 8x8 Boxer IFV developed by ARTEC GmbH, a consortium uniting Rheinmetall Land Systems and KNDS (formerly KMW). Designed to meet modern mechanized combat standards, the vehicle features a modular architecture enabling the integration of various mission modules, including troop transport, command, logistics, fire support, medevac, and mortar carrier roles. The Vilkas variant is equipped with the remotely operated Samson Mk II turret, developed by Israeli defense company Rafael, and armed with a 30mm MK-44S cannon and Spike LR anti-tank missiles. Powered by an MTU 8V199 TE20 diesel engine, the vehicle can reach speeds of up to 105 km/h and has a range of 1,000 kilometers, offering high tactical mobility across diverse environments. Already in service with the “Iron Wolf” brigade, the Boxer Vilkas plays a central role in Lithuania’s ongoing land force modernization. The new contract signed in October 2024 includes engineering variants with integrated demining equipment, bringing the total fleet to over 110 vehicles by 2029.
NASAMS (Norwegian Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile System) is a medium- to long-range air defense system developed by Norway’s Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace in partnership with Raytheon (USA). Originally designed to protect critical infrastructure from aerial threats, NASAMS has been adopted by several NATO and EU countries. The system’s modular configuration includes a Fire Distribution Center (FDC), an AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel 3D radar, passive electro-optical sensors, and up to twelve multi-missile launchers. These launchers, deployable up to 25 km from the FDC, can engage multiple targets simultaneously, including aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles. While primarily using AIM-120 AMRAAM missiles, NASAMS is also compatible with other interceptors such as the AIM-9X Sidewinder and the RIM-162 ESSM. In Lithuania, NASAMS will form a core component of the air defense architecture for the planned combined arms division. A contract signed with Kongsberg in December 2023 outlines progressive deliveries, aiming for full operational capacity by 2028. Its interoperability with NATO systems enhances Lithuania’s collective defense posture along the Alliance’s eastern frontier.
The NASAMS system’s modular configuration includes a Fire Distribution Center (FDC), an AN/MPQ-64F1 Sentinel 3D radar, passive electro-optical sensors, and up to twelve multi-missile launchers (Picture source: Lithuanian MoD)
This funding initiative stems from a budgetary framework established the previous year, when the Lithuanian government raised the state borrowing limit by €800 million. This mechanism now allows for rapid responses to urgent defense needs while ensuring the execution of contractual commitments with defense suppliers. Deputy Finance Minister Darius Sadeckas confirmed that this allocation marks the first concrete use of the newly approved borrowing ceiling, demonstrating its role in supporting national defense priorities.
The allocation plan is based on a formal request sent by the Ministry of National Defense on April 7, 2025, outlining a requirement of €150 million for the infantry fighting vehicles and €37.7 million for the NASAMS systems. The aim is to maintain smooth contract execution while minimizing risks linked to current global supply chain tensions. The timeline anticipates industrial lead times, improving the likelihood of on-schedule delivery aligned with strategic objectives.
Under the 2025–2027 state budget law, the Ministry of Finance has been authorized to utilize public borrowing to support defense-related investments. This includes not only military equipment procurement but also infrastructure projects with dual-use capabilities (civilian and military), logistical support for allied forces stationed in Lithuania, and investments in the domestic defense industry. This approach is intended to strengthen both operational readiness and the development of a strategic industrial base capable of supporting long-term defense efforts.
This additional funding reflects a clear political intent to anticipate and consolidate Lithuania’s strategic autonomy. By incorporating Boxer Vilkas vehicles and NASAMS systems into its military inventory, Lithuania is progressing towards establishing a combined arms division capable of operating independently or within a multinational framework. The Boxer Vilkas, with its integrated firepower, mobility, and protection systems, will play a pivotal role in mechanized operations and infantry support. Its modularity also allows the deployment of specialized variants that enhance tactical flexibility.
Simultaneously, the deployment of NASAMS addresses a critical requirement for autonomous air defense coverage capable of countering contemporary threats, including emerging technologies such as drones and cruise missiles. Proven across several NATO militaries, the system integrates seamlessly into a layered air defense structure and is fully interoperable with allied assets in the region. The parallel development of armored maneuver and air defense capabilities embodies an integrated defense approach based on complementary effects, national resilience, and strategic credibility within the NATO collective defense framework.