“It was agreed at a meeting at the Federal Ministry of Defence this summer to jointly develop military infrastructure at Rukla in Lithuania. I am delighted that the German side agreed to the idea of a joint project and appropriate corresponding financing, and today I am able to announce that we have signed documents coordinated between both sides concerning the acquisition of design services via the NSPA. That means we are leaving the phase of contemplation and entering the implementation, concrete work phase, ahead of schedule. German and Lithuanian troops will have completely different training, learning and living conditions within just a couple of years, which will make the already closely-knit cooperation between the two countries even more closer,” says Vice Minister of National Defence Vilius Semeška.
The development of infrastructure in Rukla project will encompass new barracks, command posts, mess hall, sports facility, fitting out training classrooms, medical post, leisure time area, also, all engineering infrastructure, roads, etc. The new infrastructure will serve the Artillery and the Logistical Battalions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces Mechanized Infantry Brigade Iron Wolf and the NATO enhanced Forward Presence Battalion Battle Group.
A separate equipment depot project will be developed to meet the needs of the Artillery and the Logistical Iron Wolf Brigade Battalions of the Lithuanian Armed Forces. It will encompass building maintenance facilities, garages, warehouses, shelters, gas supply, washing facility, roads, and other objects.
The projects are assessed to total over EUR 200 million, most of it as a form of German investment in Lithuania.
Project design ITTS for both projects are planned to be announced in 2022, while the projects are expected to be completed fully and transferred to users in several steps during 2023 – 2026.
The NSPA has organized procurement of design services for Lithuania before too, it also mediates in other Lithuanian Armed Forces modernization, development of infrastructure for Lithuanian and allied militaries projects, and acquisition of weaponry and equipment.
The NSPA is the main public procurement platform of Lithuanian and other NATO allies’ defence institutions that completes procurement of different goods and services. Lithuanian companies are invited to and compete in NSPA public tenders as well.
