The Minister of National Defense, Laurynas Kasčiūnas, proposes to rearrange the priorities regarding the second phase of the purchase of Boxer combat vehicles.
"The experience of wars shows that it is better to have tracked combat vehicles for tanks that are tracked. For the second stage of infantry vehicles, we have already programmed money in the current budget, we just need to rearrange certain priorities internally, but I am waiting for military advice", L. Kasciūnas told LNK news on Saturday.
The minister said he was waiting for answers as to whether "Boxers" are really the best match with tanks.
"Obviously, there are some decisions that need to be made in terms of who should link up and move with the tanks - wheeled or tracked infantry fighting vehicles," he said.
Boxer infantry fighting vehicles are still one of the most powerful and expensive Lithuanian army weapons. Lithuania has purchased about 100 of them, negotiations are underway for another 120.
Elta reminds that this week the Minister of National Defense also proposed to establish a company instead of the planned tank battalion and to pay more attention to the strengthening of air defense. According to him, in the long run, the tank company would be increased to the size of a battalion.
L. Kasčiūnas says that he submitted a proposal to party representatives on Wednesday to purchase two more medium-range defense systems in the near future.
In response to this minister's proposals, the Presidency states that this initiative cannot delay the deadline for the formation of the division, which is scheduled for 2030.
Miglė Valonytė (ELTA)
