Lithuania Purchases New Spike LR2 Missiles to Counter Russian Armored Vehicles
Lithuania’s Armed Forces have bolstered their arsenal with a new batch of Spike LR2 anti-tank guided missiles.
The latest delivery is worth more than €3 million. In total, the Lithuanian military has now received Spike LR2 missiles valued at more than €11.5 million.
The missiles were procured under a contract signed between Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defense and the German company EuroSpike GmbH.
The missiles were purchased primarily to counter Russian armored vehicles.
“As we work to deter Russia and ensure peace in our country, we will continue strengthening Lithuania’s Armed Forces and investing in ammunition stockpiles,” Robertas Kaunas, Lithuanian Minister of National Defense, shared.
The Spike LR2 is a modern anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) designed to provide rapid response and high firepower.
It is intended to destroy tanks, armored vehicles, fortified positions, engineering structures, and other high-value targets.
The new Spike LR2 missile version has an extended engagement range, increasing from 4 km to 5.5 km.
In the Lithuanian Armed Forces, these missiles are integrated into Vilkas infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs).
The Vilkas, Lithuania’s customized version of the German Boxer IFV, is equipped with the Samson Mk2 unmanned turret developed by Israel’s Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. The turret is armed with a 30 mm MK-44S automatic cannon, a coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun, and two launchers for Spike LR anti-tank guided missiles.
According to Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defense, the country’s 2026 budget allocates €2 billion for the procurement of weapons and military equipment.
Overall, Lithuania plans to spend 5.38% of its GDP on defense this year, one of the highest defense spending levels among NATO members.
