Lithuania Approves €1.5 Billion Procurement of 936 Patria 6×6 Armoured Vehicles

Lithuania’s State Defence Council authorised the Ministry of Defence to purchase 936 Patria 6×6 armoured personnel carriers in one of the largest single defence procurements in Baltic history. The estimated cost is €1.5 billion through 2036, with the contract expected to be signed with Patria in 2027 and the first 300 vehicles delivered by 2030.

The Patria 6×6 vehicles will replace Lithuania’s remaining M113 tracked armoured vehicles, most of which have already been donated to Ukraine. Lithuania is also seeking local manufacturing involvement in the programme.

Key Developments This Week

  • Lithuanian drone unit: Lithuanian Armed Forces establishes ANBO, a dedicated special drone unit designed for offensive operations up to 200km deep into enemy territory. Unit members will remain anonymous for security reasons, as drone operators are high-value targets
  • Latvian border defence: Latvia deploys mobile drone interceptor units along its 400km eastern border with Russia and Belarus, equipped with locally manufactured drones from Origin Robotics and Eraser. Goal: fully operational by early June
  • Estonian border sensors: Estonia installs the first stationary drone detection and surveillance devices on its southeastern land border near the Russia-Latvia-Estonia intersection at Luhamaa
  • Israeli detection system: Lithuania evaluates Elbit Systems’ multi-layered drone detection system after a live demonstration in the Kaunas district, where five types of drones including Shahed-type aircraft were launched to simulate real attack conditions
  • Swedish deterrence: Sweden described as a “provider of credible deterrence” in the Baltic Sea, with its presence and maritime surveillance capabilities recognised as shaping the region’s security situation
  • Defence spending support: Majority of Estonians support spending at least 5% of GDP on defence
  • EU drone defence funding: European Commission president pledges an additional €12 billion to boost Baltic drone defence
  • UK-Estonia cooperation: Callen-Lenz Nyan One-Way Effector makes its first appearance with the British Army at Exercise Spring Storm alongside Estonian-built Threod Systems CATA B launcher
  • Baltic deep tech: Report finds the Baltic deep tech sector is growing faster than anywhere else in Europe
  • Estonian naval expansion: Estonia seeks growth from investments in maritime defence capabilities, with invitations to tender for four new naval vessels sent to Hanwha, Hyundai, Saab, and Baltic Workboats

Defence Industry Dimension

The simultaneous moves by all three Baltic states to build drone defence capabilities — Lithuania with a dedicated offensive drone unit and Israeli detection systems, Latvia with mobile interceptor teams on the border, and Estonia with stationary detection infrastructure — represent a coordinated regional response to the drone threat. Combined with Lithuania’s massive Patria procurement and the €12 billion EU pledge, the Baltic defence sector is entering a period of unprecedented investment and industrial growth.