The Minister of Defense of Lithuania Laurinas Kaschyunas believes that there is no need to rush to purchase tanks for the newly formed battalion, without first ensuring the proper equipping its armed forces with air defense systems.
The statement of the Lithuanian minister is cited by LRT, reports “European Truth”.
Kaščiūnas made these remarks after it became clear that Lithuania would not be able to to create a military division by 2030 due to the authorities' decision to divide the purchase of German Leopard 2 tanks into stages.
According to him, the decision on phased procurement is aimed at accelerating the acquisition of the third battery of NASAMS medium-range anti-aircraft missile systems, which Lithuania signed a contract for the purchase of earlier this fall.
200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000“I cannot base our defense policy on a tank battalion, seeing how the war is developing, how the methods of warfare are changing, how heavy equipment is breaking down in Ukraine, and how important it is to counter air threats, knowing the huge vacuum and lack of air defense means in NATO.” , – said the minister.
He is convinced that “you can't invest everything in one sphere”.
“Therefore, gradual movement makes much more sense and, I believe, is wiser”, – added the head of the defense department.
According to Kaschyunas, current plans call for the necessary number of tanks for one company to be delivered by 2030, which will allow the division to operate at an “average level of power”.
“It is also a significant force that will fight the enemy if necessary, but our goal is, of course, – to deter the enemy with our allies,” – he said.
Recall that in May, the Lithuanian government approved changes in the structure of the army, the purpose of which – create an infantry division with a tank battalion, as well as increase the number of conscripts.
And on October 1, a law came into force in Lithuania that will allow Lithuanian citizens, businesses and organizations to donate to the country's defense needs by making online transfers or buying “defense bonds”.