Lithuania boosts defence with €188m "Vilkas" vehicle order
The Lithuanian government has approved a resolution proposed by the Ministry of Finance, which allocates an additional 187.7 million euros for the priority development of defence capabilities. These funds will be transferred as down payments for the Ministry of National Defence (MoD) for, among other things, the "Vilkas" infantry fighting vehicles, the number of which in service will increase by one-third. We present what the Lithuanian "Wolves" are and what performance they have.
According to the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence , the additional 187.7 million euros will be distributed for the purchase of 27 "Vilkas" infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs), which are scheduled for delivery between 2027 and 2029, as well as NASAMS air defence systems, which are expected to arrive in Lithuania in 2028. The purchase of 27 "Vilkas" IFVs will increase their number to 116 units, nearly a 30% increase from the current 89 units.
Lithuania is currently one of the most heavily arming countries in the region in relation to GDP. Other notable purchases include CAESAR MK II howitzers or plans to buy Leopard 2A8 tanks along with CV90 infantry fighting vehicles.
German competitor of the Polish Rosomak among others
The GTK Boxer armoured personnel carrier is the result of German-Dutch cooperation, and its production is managed by the ARTEC GmbH consortium, which includes Krauss-Maffei Wegmann and Rheinmetall. The first units were delivered to users in 2009, and since then, the Boxer has 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 many versions, and the Lithuanian variant is one of the most interesting.
A mix of German and Israeli technology
The Lithuanian "Vilkas" is a strengthened and heavily armed variant of the wheeled infantry fighting vehicle. The armament is mounted on an Israeli-made unmanned Samson RCWS turret, based on similar principles to the Polish ZSSW-30. This allows for both reduced weight (as it doesn't need to be as heavily armoured as manned turrets) and increased usability for the crew, as they are located within the hull.
It includes a 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II automatic cannon with a firing rate of 200 rounds per minute, capable of using programmable ammunition, which dramatically increases effectiveness against hidden targets or drones, a 7.62 mm machine gun, and a double Spike-LR anti-tank guided missile launcher with a range of approximately 4 kilometres.
This allows the Lithuanian "Wolf" to effectively support a landing force of up to eight soldiers and, if necessary, combat even the best-armoured Russian tanks.
