Lithuania to purchase 936 Finnish-made Patria armoured vehicles by 2030

Lithuania will acquire 936 Patria armoured personnel carriers from Finland by 2030, President Gitanas Nausėda announced Wednesday following a State Defence Council (VGT) meeting, as reported by public broadcaster LRT.

Under the decision, Lithuania commits to procuring 300 units by the end of the decade, with the remaining vehicles to follow. Nausėda emphasised that a key condition for the Finnish manufacturer will be partial production in Lithuania. “We could integrate into the supply chain for these armoured vehicles,” the president stated.

The council also addressed drone threats in Lithuanian airspace, acknowledging that incursions—linked to Russia’s ongoing aggression in Ukraine—have become a persistent challenge. Officials dismissed Russian claims that Baltic states had authorised such attacks as “absurd” and intended solely to escalate regional tensions.

In November 2025, the VGT had mandated the creation of an integrated air defence system within three years, unifying the military, State Border Guard Service, and Public Security Service. On Wednesday, members urged accelerated efforts to bolster anti-drone defences, including fast-tracked procurement, public alert system improvements, and legal reforms to streamline acquisition procedures.

“Protecting our people from real airborne threats is now the top priority,” the council underscored.