Lithuania to buy 44 Leopard tanks from Germany

Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė on Monday signed a deal confirming that Lithuania is buying several dozen German-made Leopard 2 tanks. The signing ceremony took place in Berlin, where the new minister arrived on her first foreign trip, the ministry has said.

"The Leopard contract is the largest one in Lithuania’s history. It is a critical milestone in the modernisation of our armed forces and the boosting of regional security. These tanks will open up opportunities to strengthen the integrity and interoperability of the Lithuanian and German armed forces," Šakalienė said.

Lithuania pledged to buy 44 tanks from Germany. Talks are being held on an earlier delivery date following an increase in defence spending, according to the ministry.