The war in Ukraine continues with undiminished intensity and despite the looming prospect of its territorial limitation in that country, there is a clear concern among Western countries about the possibility of Russian aggression against another country or countries of Eastern Europe.
The importance of the Suwalki corridor for the defence of the Baltic countries against Russia-Belarus
The Baltic countries are seen as a primary target, with the Polish Suwalki corridor between Belarus and Kaliningrad being of extreme importance for the security of Lithuania-Latvia-Estonia, since it connects the three countries with the only NATO country on their "back", Poland.
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Ποιοι είναι οι μισθοφόροι της Spear, οι δολοφόνοι των ΗΠΑ που πληρώθηκαν από τα ΗΑΕ για να σκοτώσουν στην Υεμένη
This corridor is given to be the No.1 target of Russian forces acting in a kind of a raid from both Kaliningrad and Belarus, so that the above countries will be completely surrounded by Russian troops.
This is the main reason that prompted Lithuania, which borders Poland, to make a hasty request to Germany for Leopard 2 tanks.
French media in a related article points out:
Lithuania is being equipped
"We are facing an aggressive neighbour. A country that already had an aggressive stance, but not at the level we see now," Gabrielius Landsbergis, Lithuania's foreign minister, told CNN on January 22. And contrary to what one might think, he didn't just say that about Russia, but about Belarus.
Also, in Vilnius, there is fear of an attack on the strategic Suwalki corridor, the only transit point between the Baltic states and the rest of NATO.
All the more so since, in August, Belarusian forces, reinforced by mercenaries from the former Wagner group, carried out an exercise on its outskirts.
The threat risks becoming even greater if Russia achieves its objectives in Ukraine... "If Ukraine does not win, if Putin wins this war, then we are all threatened," Mr. Landsberg also warned in the pages of Les Échos last week.
Although it can rely on NATO support, including the permanent presence of a German brigade on its territory from 2025, Lithuania has increased its military spending in order to significantly strengthen its land forces, with the purchase of [MTO] Switchblade 600, 18 CAESAR [Trucks Equipped with Artillery System], 8 M142 HIMARS [High Mobility Artillery Rocket System] multiple rocket launchers and ARTEC Boxer infantry fighting vehicles.
At the same time, it has strengthened its cooperation with Estonia and Latvia, exemplified by the recent decision to establish a defense line against Russia and Belarus.
But there is talk of Vilnius going even further.
Last year, the Lithuanian army said it was considering acquiring tanks again after returning the 400 T-72s it had in Russia in 1993.
Then in July, it was suggested that his preference would be the Leopard 2 produced by Krauss-Maffei Wegmann [KNDS of Germany]. However, no purchase decision was made at that time.
The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence requests the acquisition of Leopard 2 tanks from the Germans
Now it's time to do it. Indeed, the Lithuanian National Security Council has instructed its Ministry of Defence to start negotiations with its German counterpart with a view to acquiring the Leopard 2. This tank is the "most effective platform, which meets all the criteria set by Lithuania", explained Kęstutis Budrys. , an adviser to Gitanas Nauseda, President of the country.
In addition, compared to the competitors mentioned earlier, namely the American Abrams and the South Korean K-2 "Panther", the choice of the Leopard 2 will allow to enhance interoperability with the Bundeswehr and streamline their maintenance , while a repair center has been opened in Lithuania for tanks of this type transferred to Ukraine.
Vilnius will have to join forces with other countries interested in buying the Leopard 2. "The final cost and the number of tanks ordered will be determined after negotiations," Mr. Boudris said.
However, the ambition of the Lithuanian General Staff is to have enough tanks to equip the equivalent of one staff division (EMA). Clearly, at least 54 tanks would be needed. As for the intended model, the Leopard 2A8 has the edge.
