Air defence more crucial for Lithuania than purchasing Leopards 2

This information was provided by Lithuanian defence minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas on the request for any redefining and orders for the military, as reported by the LNK news service. However, this issue needs to be discussed with the Armed Forces as it will concern respective programmes. As 1 of the priorities, it indicates strengthening short and average scope air defence systems, thus most likely buying up further batteries of the NASAMS strategy presently in usage or stepping up cooperation with Latvia and Estonia on this level. However, this expenditure will resonate on another possible purchases of the Lithuanian Ministry of Defence e.g. to get German Leopard 2A8 tanks. The National Defence Council [in January of that year](https://defence24.pl/defence-politics-defence/litwa-buys-leopardy-2-i-larger-conscription) approved the acquisition of 54 specified vehicles that were to win with the K2 Black Panther that the Lithuanians were besides considering.