Lithuania forms 1st Division

Lithuania is procuring over 110 Boxer IFVs. (Lithuanian MND/Sgt A Čemerka)

Lithuania established its 1st Division during a ceremony in Rukla on 28 January. The formation will consist of the Lithuanian army's Iron Wolf, Žemaitija, and reserve Aukštaitija brigades, supported by air defence, engineering, reconnaissance, and artillery units.

A new divisional headquarters will begin training units assigned to the formation in 2025, with plans calling for the formation of a full-fledged division by 2030.

The 1st Division will defend Lithuanian territory together with allies, providing collective defence with formations of NATO countries. The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) said on its website on 28 November 2024 that a national division would allow the Lithuanian Armed Forces to operate in an integrated manner, providing manoeuvre, fire support, logistics, intelligence, air defence, engineering, and reconnaissance capabilities. It will be equipped with tanks, tracked and wheeled infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) air defence, engineering, reconnaissance, and artillery capabilities.

Leopard 2A8s

The Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr (BAAINBw), Germany's Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support, signed a contract with KNDS Deutschland for the delivery of 44 Leopard 2A8 main battle tanks (MBTs) to the Lithuanian army, KNDS announced on 19 December 2024. The EUR950 million (USD990 million) contract includes a spare parts and logistics package.

Lithuania's State Defence Council (VGT) decided during a meeting on 22 October 2024 to procure the Leopard 2A8s and tracked IFVs.