Lithuania to assemble and support Leopard 2A8 MBTs

The Lithuanian MND has signed an MOU with KNDS Deutschland, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, and EPSO-G to assemble and support Leopard 2A8 MBTs, for delivery by the end of 2030. (KNDS)

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with KNDS Deutschland, Rheinmetall Landsysteme, and Lithuania's state-owned energy company EPSO-G to assemble and support Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks (MBTs), the ministry and KNDS announced on 11 December. Under the agreement, an assembly plant for the production of up to 41 Leopard 2A8 MBTs will be built in Kaunas, Lithuania, with the specific terms for co-operation to be agreed by the signatories in 2026, KNDS said in a press release.

KNDS Germany-Rheinmetall Landsysteme joint venture Lithuania Defense Services (LDS) will be subcontracted by KNDS to implement the project. The Lithuanian MND said on its website that EPSO-G Invest would have a 25.1% share in LDS. Lithuania's Ministry of Economy and Innovation has granted the project the status of a major investment project, which will ensure faster implementation, according to the Lithuanian MND.

An agreement was also signed to guarantee the availability of the Leopard 2A8s, including by training skilled personnel for manufacturing and maintenance work, as well as logistical support for the systems over a period of five years, starting after the delivery of the first system.