Lithuania Requests German Leopard Tanks

Lithuania has set its sights on signing a letter of intent with Germany to acquire Leopard 2 tanks for their Army.

“The Defence Resources Council of the Ministry of National Defence, taking into account the detailed market analysis and military assessment carried out by the Lithuanian Armed Forces and the Defence Resources Agency, has approved the proposal to … [propose] to the State Defence Council to send a letter of intent to the German Ministry of Defence regarding the acquisition of Leopard tanks,” Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas wrote in a Facebook post.

Lithuania is likely to sign the LOI this week.

Anušauskas said the military evaluated American Abrams and South Korean Black Panther tanks before opting to buy Leopard MBTs.

The key evaluation criteria the military used to select its preferred vehicle included the price and maintenance costs, operational environment, mobility, safety, adaptability, protection, firepower, and interoperability.

The minister did not disclose the estimated value of the planned procurement and the number, or variant, of Leopard 2s to be purchased.

In March, Lithuania’s chief of defense, Lt. Gen. Valdemaras Rupšys, said the Baltic nation intends to buy up to 54 tanks.