Lithuania Prioritizes Air Defense with NASAMS Over Leopard 2 Tank Purchases.

On April 20, 2024, the Lithuanian Minister of Defense announced plans to redefine the country's military priorities, as reported by the Lithuanian media outlet Lrt. Initially set to establish a new armored battalion with Leopard 2 tanks and augment its infantry fighting vehicles by 2030, Lithuania is now shifting towards Lynx KF-41 tracked combat vehicles and reallocating funds to strengthen the country's air defense capabilities with the NASAMS system.
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Currently reliant on the NASAMS system, Lithuanian air defenses could be further strengthened through the acquisition of additional batteries or enhanced cooperation with Estonia and Latvia as part of a German-led European missile shield project (Picture source: Kongsberg Defense and Aerospace)

Earlier in January, the Lithuanian National Security Council tasked the Ministry of Defense with negotiating the acquisition of at least 54 Leopard 2 tanks from Germany to form an armored battalion by 2030. The intent, as stated by General Valdemaras Rupšys, the Lithuanian Chief of Defense, was to transform a mechanized infantry battalion into a tank unit to strengthen the country's military stature.

Simultaneously, Vilnius was considering the purchase of 120-wheeled Boxer infantry fighting vehicles, adding to the 88 units already in service. However, priorities have recently shifted. Defense Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas has suggested reducing the Boxer order in favor of tracked combat vehicles, potentially favoring the Lynx KF-41 from Rheinmetall, following an agreement to establish an artillery shell production unit in Lithuania.

Regarding the Leopard 2 tanks, the minister recommended limiting the purchase to just a dozen to form a squadron and reallocating the funds to enhance the country's air defense capabilities. Currently reliant on the NASAMS system, Lithuanian air defenses could be further strengthened through the acquisition of additional batteries or enhanced cooperation with Estonia and Latvia as part of a German-led European missile shield project.

The Leopard 2 is a main battle tank developed by Krauss-Maffei in the 1970s for the West German Army. Renowned for its firepower, protection, and mobility, the Leopard 2 has been continuously upgraded over the decades. It is equipped with a powerful 120 mm smoothbore cannon and advanced armor, making it one of the most formidable tanks in the world. The Leopard 2 has been adopted by numerous countries across Europe and beyond.

The Boxer is a multirole armored fighting vehicle designed to perform a range of missions with variants including troop transport, command vehicle, and ambulance. It features a modular design, allowing the base vehicle to be configured with different mission modules depending on operational requirements. This German-Dutch co-development entered service in Germany in 2011 and has been praised for its survivability and versatility.

The Lynx KF-41 is a new generation tracked armored vehicle designed by Rheinmetall of Germany, introduced to the market in 2018. It offers high mobility, and substantial firepower, and can carry up to 8 infantry soldiers along with a three-member crew. The Lynx is designed to address a wide variety of battlefield roles and can be equipped with an array of weapons including a 35mm cannon.

The NASAMS (National Advanced Surface to Air Missile System) is a highly adaptable medium-range air defense system developed by the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and the American company Raytheon. Introduced in the mid-1990s, NASAMS utilizes the AIM-120 AMRAAM (Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missile) as its primary weapon. It is designed to quickly identify, engage, and destroy aircraft, helicopters, and newer threats like drones and cruise missiles. The system is known for its network-centric warfare capability, integrating sensors and shooters to create a real-time defensive umbrella. NASAMS has been adopted by several countries worldwide, including the United States, which uses it to protect critical national infrastructure and airspace.

The proposal by Kasčiūnas has been well-received, particularly by Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis, who views it as "rational and in line with military recommendations." It appears to address concerns raised in previous discussions and aligns with the strategic choices of political leaders. How Vilnius will finalize these adjustments remains to be seen, especially in a context where the Netherlands has announced the upcoming deployment of a Patriot battery in Lithuania, thus enhancing the country's air defense capabilities.

Defense News April 2024