# Lithuania Leopard 2 tank plant development > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/lithuania-leopard-2-tank-plant-development > Updated: 2026-07-31T09:47:42.000Z. Sources: 6. Developments: 2. In late July 2026 Lithuania formalised a €29‑30 million contract with Finnish builder YIT Lithuania to construct a 13,000 m² Leopard 2A8 tank assembly, repair and maintenance facility in the Kaunas Free Economic Zone. Work is slated to begin in August 2024 with completion targeted for November 2027 and the first assembled tank expected by the end of 2028, creating up to 100 jobs. A follow‑up report later in July confirmed the same timeline and noted that the plant will support Lithuania’s order of 44 Leopard 2A8 tanks. In parallel, the German Bundeswehr equipped its Leopard 2A7 tanks with metal anti‑drone cages during a joint exercise with the Lithuanian 45th Armoured Brigade near the Belarus border, showcasing a low‑cost counter‑drone measure. Together, the contracts and the German‑Lithuanian drill illustrate a coordinated effort to bolster Lithuania’s heavy‑armor capabilities and related defensive technologies. ## Timeline ### 2026-07-31: Lithuania to Complete Leopard 2 Tank Assembly Plant by 2027, Germany Adds Drone‑Protection Nets Lithuania will finish a Leopard 2 tank assembly plant by 2027, while Germany equips its Leopard 2A7 tanks with anti‑drone nets during a joint exercise in Lithuania. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lithuania-to-complete-leopard-2-tank-assembly-plant-by-2027-germany-adds-droneprotection-nets ### 2026-07-27: Lithuania to Build Leopard 2A8 Tank Production Facility in Kaunas YIT Lithuania will build a €30 million Leopard 2A8 tank assembly plant in Kaunas, creating up to 100 jobs and boosting Lithuania's defence capabilities, with completion planned for late 2027. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/lithuania-to-build-leopard-2a8-tank-production-facility-in-kaunas --- Cite as: Lithuania Leopard 2 tank plant development. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/lithuania-leopard-2-tank-plant-development