Lithuania to Complete Leopard 2 Tank Assembly Plant by 2027, Germany Adds Drone‑Protection Nets

Lithuania has signed a €29 million contract to build a 13,000 m² assembly line for Leopard 2 main battle tanks in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone, with completion slated for November 2027. The facility will also handle maintenance, repairs and overhauls for the Lithuanian Army’s future fleet, which includes 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks on order. YIT Lietuva managing director Kęstutis Vanagas said the project “will contribute to strengthening the country’s defence infrastructure and will play an important role in ensuring the technical readiness of the Lithuanian Armed Forces.”

In a related development, the German Bundeswehr has equipped its Leopard 2A7 tanks with metal anti‑drone cages during a July exercise with the 45th Lithuanian Armoured Brigade near the Belarus border. The cages are designed to trigger premature detonation of hostile drones and protect vulnerable parts of the turret. German officials highlighted the solution as a fast, low‑cost alternative to active protection systems.