Lithuania nears final agreement on CV90 infantry fighting vehicle purchase

Lithuania is in the final stages of securing a contract to acquire Swedish-made CV90 infantry fighting vehicles, Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said this week, according to a BNS report.

“We are in the home stretch—this is a very near-term timeline,” Kaunas told reporters when asked about the signing of the main contract. The Defence Ministry had previously announced plans to finalise the deal in early 2026.

The process faced delays after manufacturer BAE Systems Hägglunds notified Lithuania in December that it could not deliver the required number of vehicles by 2030. Lithuania is participating in the procurement alongside Finland, Sweden, Norway, and the Netherlands.

Kaunas confirmed the country will receive around 90% of its originally planned 100 CV90s. “The initial figures were truly disheartening—just 20–30% of what we needed,” he said, crediting Estonia’s decision to withdraw from the purchase (freeing up €500 million for air defence) and negotiations with the manufacturer for the improved allocation.

Deliveries are expected to begin in 2028. Discussions are also underway about partial assembly and equipment installation of the vehicles in Lithuania.

Meanwhile, Kaunas addressed delays in Lithuania’s second HIMARS battery acquisition, acknowledging reports that the country may have missed inclusion in the 17th production batch, slated for completion by 2028. He expressed hope that geopolitical considerations could accelerate delivery timelines, noting ongoing discussions on potential “queue-swapping” with allied nations.

Lithuania signed a $495 million contract for eight HIMARS systems in late 2022. Combined with the recent $280 million supplement for the second battery, the total investment approaches $778 million (€661 million). The first battery is expected this year, with full operational capability targeted by 2027.