Lithuania plans to sign an agreement with German manufacturers this week to purchase Leopard tanks.
Lithuanian Defense Minister Arvydas Anušauskas told reporters after a meeting of the State Defense Council (SDC), LRT reports.
"This week we will sign a letter of intent with German manufacturers," Minister Anusauskas said, without giving more details.
Asked why a German manufacturer was chosen, the minister said he would not elaborate, as military advice precedes political decisions.
Lithuania is purchasing tanks to create a tank division in its armed forces. The relevant legislative amendments were supposed to be presented in June, but now they plan to do so in September when the Seimas convenes for the fall session.
The State Defense Council has also proposed to create another military training ground in Lithuania, said Kęstutis Budrys, chief national security adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda.
"We need another training ground in Lithuania, where we could conduct brigade-level maneuvers, and that is why today the DRO recommended that the government carry out work related to the creation of such a training ground," Budrys said.
Author - Olena Madiak, 25/07/2023