Lithuania signs contract for Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launchers

VILNIUS - Lithuania has signed a contract for the purchase of Swedish-made Carl Gustaf anti-tank grenade launchers, the country's Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

The Defense Materiel Agency signed the contract with SAAB Bofors Dynamics AB for the purchase of Carl Gustaf M4 84mm anti-tank grenade launchers and spare parts, worth 14 million euros, and the weapons will be delivered between 2025 and 2026.

The Carl Gustaf weapon system is designed to destroy armored targets and enemy manpower.

"The latest M4 model is shorter and lighter than previous Carl Gustav versions, making it easier and simpler to use," the statement said.

The Carl-Gustaf anti-tank grenade launchers can be used both in support of unit maneuvers and for the effective destruction of armored vehicles and are battlefield-proven to deliver high performance.

This year, Lithuania plans to spend around 2.5 billion euros, or just over 3 percent of its GDP, on defense. However, the new government has recently increased the borrowing limit for 2025 to around 800 million euros, meaning that borrowing the full amount could bring defense spending up to 4 percent.