– We have not made all the decisions yet, but the faster we reach a decision, the sooner the vehicles can be added to our armed forces. We are discussing at least several hundred vehicles, said Ulf Kristersson at a joint press conference in Rosenbad after the lunch meeting.
Lithuania's Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas emphasized the importance of increased regional cooperation:
– Lithuania looks forward to strengthening bilateral and regional cooperation in areas such as security and defense.
Kristersson clarified that the negotiations concern a coordinated acquisition of the CV90 with Sweden, Lithuania, Finland, and Norway:
– With a coordinated acquisition, we strengthen defense capabilities throughout the Baltic Sea region and deepen bilateral cooperation with Lithuania. We are currently drafting a joint Statement of Intent, and Sweden looks forward to taking the next step.
Strategic background: Lithuania's investment in the CV90
Over the past year, Lithuania has taken several steps towards acquiring Combat Vehicle 90 from Hägglunds to equip two mechanized battalions. In October 2024, the country's Ministry of Defense announced that the Defense Council had chosen Combat Vehicle 90 after Commander Raimundas Vaikšnoras presented various purchase options. The then Minister of Defense Laurynas Kasčiūnas was tasked with initiating the procurement process and submitting bids from local suppliers to the Defense Council, which makes the final decision.
An important step was taken in November when Lithuania and Sweden signed a declaration of intent for deepened defense cooperation, including opportunities for joint procurement of Combat Vehicle 90 with other partner countries.
In December 2024, Lithuania's current Minister of Defense Dovilė Šakalienė met with representatives from Hägglunds to discuss details of the acquisition. She emphasized the importance of timely deliveries and a long-term industrial partnership where Lithuania gains a place in the supply chain. The goal is to have full operational capability for its division by 2030.
Overall, there have been limited statements from the various countries about a potential joint procurement. Robin Häggblom, a long-time Finnish defense blogger and senior advisor at the Denmark-based analysis company Risk Intelligence, remarked on X/Twitter that it might be appropriate for the Finnish Defense Forces to comment on the information:
– I'm not saying that [the Finnish Defense Forces] must address every rumor, but when the Prime Ministers of Sweden and Lithuania say at a press conference that a document covering hundreds of CV90s and including a Finnish part is to be signed within a few weeks – then maybe something should be said. Sure, it's not a final order, but we don't issue statements of interest just to support the Finnish paper industry, wrote Häggblom.