Lithuania boosts defence with €188m investment in 'Vilkas' vehicles
The Lithuanian government has approved a resolution proposed by the Ministry of Finance, allocating an additional 187.7 million euros (approximately CAD 296 million) to prioritize the development of defense capabilities. These funds will be used as down payments by the Ministry of National Defense (MoD) for items such as the infantry fighting vehicles "Vilkas," increasing their service number by one-third. Here, we present the Lithuanian "Wolves" and their performance attributes.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defense , the additional 187.7 million euros (approximately CAD 296 million) will be used to purchase 27 "Vilkas" infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029. Additionally, NASAMS air defense systems are expected to arrive in Lithuania in 2028. The acquisition of these 27 "Vilkas" IFVs will boost their numbers to 116 units, marking a nearly 30% increase from the current 89 units.
Lithuania is currently one of the most heavily armed countries in the region in terms of GDP. Other significant purchases include CAESAR MK II howitzers and plans to acquire Leopard 2A8 tanks along with CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.
German competitor to the Polish Rosomak
The GTK Boxer armored personnel carrier is a product of German-Dutch collaboration, with production managed by the ARTEC GmbH consortium, which includes Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall. The first units were delivered to users in 2009, and the Boxer has since gained international recognition, resulting in several orders.
Besides Germany, which ordered 531 vehicles, and the Netherlands with 200 units, clients also include Lithuania, Australia, and the United Kingdom. These vehicles come in various versions, and the Lithuanian variant is particularly interesting.
A mix of German and Israeli technology
The Lithuanian "Vilkas" is a reinforced and heavily armed variant of the wheeled infantry fighting vehicle. Its armament is mounted on an Israeli-made unmanned Samson RCWS turret, based on similar principles as the Polish ZSSW-30. This setup reduces weight—since it doesn't require as much armour as manned turrets—and enhances usability for the crew, who are positioned within the hull.
It features a 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II automatic cannon with a firing rate of 200 rounds per minute, capable of using programmable ammunition that significantly increases effectiveness against concealed targets or drones. Additionally, it includes a 7.62 mm machine gun and a double Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile launcher with a range of approximately 4 kilometres.
This configuration enables the Lithuanian "Wolf" to effectively support a landing force of up to 8 soldiers and, if necessary, engage even the most heavily armored Russian tanks.
