Lithuania approves Patria 6x6 procurement as Norway joins CAVS programme

Patria 6x6 vehicle at an international Arctic event organised by Patria in Rovaniemi, Lapland, on 18–19 March 2025. (FMV/Anders Mattsson)

Lithuania's State Defence Council (SDC) approved the acquisition of Patria 6x6 armoured vehicles at the end of May 2026. At the same time Norway signed the Common Armoured Vehicle System (CAVS) framework agreement. Lithuanian Radio and Television (LRT) reported on 27 May that the SDC had that day approved the purchase of 936 Patria armoured vehicles worth approximately EUR1.5 billion (USD1.7 billion). It also reported that President Gitanas Nausėda, who chaired the meeting, said 300 of the vehicles are expected to be acquired by 2030.

The Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence (MND) said on its website on 27 May that the Patria 6x6 vehicles would replace M113 armoured personnel carriers (APCs) as Lithuania develops a national division by 2030. The MND added, “The development of this capability is an integral part of the national division and is necessary to ensure the operational requirements of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.”

Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas said, “This is a multifunctional platform that can be used to mount air defence systems and capabilities and will also serve military medical and logistical purposes. The acquisition of this system is necessary to ensure the functionality of the division.” His ministry added that the vehicles can also be used for manoeuvre, command, fire support, engineering, information transmission, reconnaissance, and chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) protection.