Lithuania’s State Defence Council has approved the acquisition of 100 Swedish-built CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles under a joint procurement arrangement with five NATO allies. The decision signals a long-term shift toward heavier, tracked mechanized forces and deeper Nordic–Baltic industrial and operational integration, with vehicle deliveries scheduled to begin in 2028.
According to a readout from the Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence, the purchase will be executed through a six-nation framework involving Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands. Lithuanian officials have emphasized that the program extends beyond vehicle procurement, placing strong focus on sustainment, industrial participation, and resilience. Plans include local production of selected technical components and the establishment of in-country CV90 MkIV maintenance and lifecycle support capabilities, which are expected to be formalized in follow-on contracts as the program moves toward a main agreement targeted for early 2026.
The State Defence Council’s approval confirms Lithuania’s commitment to fielding a fifth-generation, combat-proven IFV that will serve as the core platform for its future mechanized brigades. Officials involved in the decision highlighted the importance of embedding domestic industrial participation into the program, ensuring long-term sustainment autonomy and reduced reliance on external support during crises.
Lithuania joins Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands in the Nordic CV90 MkIV acquisition initiative, which was politically launched in June through a Statement of Intent and followed by a binding technical agreement signed in Helsinki in late November. Defense sources described the Helsinki accord as a key milestone, establishing common technical baselines, cooperation principles, and a coordinated roadmap toward the main production contract expected in early 2026. Deliveries across participating nations are planned to commence from 2028.
Lithuania’s interest in the CV90 MkIV centers on its balanced combination of mobility, protection, and digital growth capacity, closely aligned with NATO requirements for high-intensity, multi-domain operations. The MkIV features a significantly upgraded electronic architecture designed to accommodate future sensors, networked command-and-control systems, and integration within NATO digital battle management environments.
Powered by a new engine producing up to 1,000 horsepower and paired with the upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission, the CV90 MkIV offers enhanced mobility despite an increase in gross vehicle weight from 35 to 38 tonnes. The additional payload capacity allows for expanded armor, mission systems, and national equipment without compromising maneuverability—an important consideration for operations across the diverse terrain of the Baltic region.
