The total value of the deal is estimated at €400 million, while additional spending on upkeep and maintenance of the Boxer IFVs could run into the millions, the business daily Verslo Žinios reports. Lithuanian officials hope this spending on maintenance may go to local subcontractors.
Experts said that once Lithuania reaches a deal with ARTEC GmbH, the German-Dutch manufacturer of the Boxer IFVs, the latter could either sign up Lithuanian subcontractors to service the vehicles or set up their own sister companies in Lithuania. The latter move would still mean employing a raft of local specialists.
Lithuania plans to purchase 88 German infantry fighting vehicles in total, of which 84 IFVs will be used for combat operations and the remaining four as command vehicles. The first vehicles are expected to reach the country in 2017, while the complete fleet of fighting vehicles should be delivered by 2019.
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