Lithuania has formally endorsed the purchase of 100 Swedish-made CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles, aligning its future mechanized force structure with a multinational NATO procurement initiative involving Finland, Sweden, Norway, Estonia, and the Netherlands. The decision, approved by the State Defence Council, signals a long-term transition toward tracked, high-intensity combat capabilities and closer Nordic-Baltic defense integration, with vehicle deliveries planned from 2028.
According to a Ministry of National Defence readout, Lithuanian authorities are prioritizing not only fleet acquisition but also industrial resilience and sustainment sovereignty. The government intends to negotiate local production of specific components and establish in-country maintenance and lifecycle support facilities for the CV90 MkIV, ensuring operational readiness and long-term cost efficiency as the program progresses toward a main contract expected in 2026.
The CV90 MkIV was selected for its proven combat pedigree and advanced growth potential. As the latest evolution of the CV90 family, it features a fully modernized electronic architecture designed to support networked command-and-control systems, advanced sensors, and NATO digital battlefield integration. These capabilities are seen as critical for Lithuania’s future mechanized brigades operating in multi-domain and high-threat environments.
From a mobility standpoint, the MkIV is powered by a new engine delivering up to 1,000 horsepower, coupled with the upgraded X300 heavy-duty transmission. Despite an increase in gross vehicle weight from 35 to 38 tonnes, the platform retains high agility and speed, while the added payload capacity enables enhanced armor protection and mission-specific equipment—an important advantage for operations across the diverse terrain of the Baltic region.
