Lithuania has signed a contract to acquire two multi-purpose attack boats from Finnish manufacturer Marine Alutech Oy Ab.
The purchase was coordinated through a joint procurement agreement with Latvia, with the contract valued at 22 million euros ($24 million).
The vessels will be delivered to the Lithuanian Navy and operated by the Coastal Defense Battalion to strengthen maritime security along the country’s coastline, from the Gulf of Finland to the Curonian Lagoon near the border with Russia.
Designed for coastal and low-depth waters operations, the boats are equipped to respond quickly to various threats at sea and near-shore areas.
Each vessel will feature a remote-controlled heavy machine gun system and a SPIKE NLOS missile system, allowing for extended-range precision strikes.
“These new multi-purpose attack boats will significantly strengthen our Naval Forces and ensure a faster response to security challenges,” said Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Dovilė Šakalienė.
Moreover, the minister highlighted that the contract “is an excellent example of how small countries, by cooperating, can build a stronger and more effective defense, ensuring stability and security in the entire Baltic region.”
Lithuania Boosting Defense
In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, NATO has accelerated efforts to reinforce its eastern flank and increase defense investment.
While the alliance currently sets a 2 percent of GDP benchmark for defense spending, some members have allocated more.
Amid security concerns over potential regional escalation if Moscow advances further in Ukraine, Lithuania, a formerly Soviet-ruled Baltic state, plans to increase its annual defense spending to 5 to 6 percent of GDP between 2026 and 2030.
The announcement comes as pressure from the US increases, with President Donald Trump urging NATO allies to raise defense spending targets to 5 percent of GDP.
