Lithuania has approved plans to acquire 100 Swedish-made CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles as part of a joint procurement with five other NATO allies, a move aimed at modernizing its ground forces and expanding regional industrial cooperation.
The decision was approved by Lithuania’s State Defense Council, which also instructed officials to give special attention to producing key components and providing long-term servicing of the CV90 MkIV inside Lithuania, according to the council’s announcement.
Lithuania signed a letter of intent to join the CV90 procurement with five partner states in June. A technical agreement was later signed in Helsinki at the end of November between the six participating countries involved in the CV90 MkIV “Nordic” infantry fighting vehicle program. The multinational effort brings together Lithuania alongside Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands.
According to officials, the technical agreement defined specific cooperation principles, technical requirements, and a coordinated roadmap leading up to the signing of the main procurement contract, which is planned for early 2026. Delivery of the CV90 MkIV vehicles to Lithuania and the other participating nations is scheduled to begin in 2028.
Lithuanian defense planners have placed particular emphasis on supply reliability and the practical execution of industrial cooperation. The State Defense Council noted that the credibility of delivery commitments and the implementation of industrial partnerships will be decisive factors in Lithuania’s continued contractual cooperation under the program. Given the strategic nature of the project, expectations remain high for timely responses to Lithuanian requirements and assured supply chains.
The CV90 MkIV is the latest variant of the infantry fighting vehicle produced by Sweden-based defense manufacturer BAE Systems Hägglunds. The platform features a higher level of protection, more advanced command-and-control and weapons systems, and the ability to integrate national technologies based on customer requirements.
The vehicle is designed to operate in high-threat environments and to support mechanized infantry units with improved survivability, situational awareness, and firepower. For Lithuania, the acquisition is expected to replace older armored platforms and provide a more modern backbone for its land forces as they continue to adapt to NATO standards and operational realities along the alliance’s eastern flank.
As noted by Lithuanian officials, the joint procurement framework also offers participating countries an opportunity to deepen interoperability among allied forces. Operating the same vehicle family allows for shared training, logistics, and maintenance concepts, which can reduce long-term costs and improve operational coordination during joint deployments.
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