BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 24. Lithuania is advancing plans to acquire CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, with the Ministry of National Defence exploring the possibility of assembling the armored vehicles domestically, Trend reports.
During a strategic engagement in Sweden, Vice Minister of
National Defense Orijana Mašalė convened with stakeholders from BAE
Systems Hägglunds to deliberate on the prospective acquisition,
assembly prerequisites, manufacturing methodologies, and
collaborative industrial frameworks that could facilitate
Lithuania's integration into global supply networks.
“Our objective for the new infantry fighting vehicle initiative is
to enhance the operational capabilities of our military while
simultaneously generating sustainable economic benefits for the
Lithuanian market.” Transferring assembly operations to Lithuania
would entail the integration of advanced technologies, the creation
of employment opportunities, and the expansion of prospects within
our industrial sector. “By 2030, the Lithuanian contingent is
mandated to achieve comprehensive operational readiness, with
infantry fighting vehicles being a critical component of that
objective,” articulated Mašalė.
The CV90, or Combat Vehicle 90, engineered in Sweden, represents a
state-of-the-art tracked infantry fighting platform characterized
by its formidable lethality, exceptional maneuverability, and
superior crew survivability metrics. The platform has undergone
iterative enhancements to align with contemporary operational
paradigms and has demonstrated efficacy in tactical engagements,
notably within the Ukrainian theater of operations.
In June, during the NATO Defence Ministers’ conclave in Brussels,
Lithuania executed a letter of intent, thereby integrating into a
collaborative procurement initiative with Finland, Sweden, Norway,
Estonia, and the Netherlands.
The operationalization of the acquisition and incremental integration of CV90 platforms in Lithuania would bolster NATO's interoperability framework, augment military preparedness, and yield substantial industrial advantages. Commencement of logistical operations to Lithuania and allied nations may initiate as early as 2028.
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