Lithuania will make a decision on what type of new 8x8 infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) it will purchase at the end of November, the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence (MoD) said on 29 October.
The MoD stated that it had hoped to have selected a vehicle by now, but had recently received two government proposals (from the United States and Poland) and needed additional time to evaluate them.
The new 8x8 will replace the country's aging M113 tracked armoured personnel carriers. These will initially be used to equip two battalions of the country's 'Iron Wolf' mechanised infantry brigade, for which 60-72 IFVs will be required - although the country may later buy a second batch of vehicles.
The MoD also revealed the various bidders for the requirement. In addition to the two government-to-government (G2G) proposals, there are 10 bidding companies: Patria's AMV fitted with the UT 30 Mk 2 turret; the ARTEC Boxer fitted with the RCT 30 or Lance 30 turret; the Iveco Superav fitted with the UT 30 Mk2 turret; the Nexter VBCI with the T25 or T40 turret; the General Dynamics Land Systems LAV II with the Kongsberg MCT30 turret; the Otokar Arma and Mizrak-30 turret; and the FNSS Pars with the E30 turret. Meanwhile, Elbit has separately bid its UT 30 Mk1 and Mk2 turrets, while Lockheed Martin UK has offered its 40 CTAS turret.
In July the MoD's Materiel Acquisition Commission recommended the Boxer for the requirement, although the final decision will be made by Lithuania's State Defence Council - comprising Lithuania's President, Defence Minister, Chief of Defence and the speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament.
Lithuania closes in on IFV selection - IHS Jane's 360
