The Lithuanian Defence Resources Agency, operating under the Ministry of National Defence, has signed a significant €22 million contract with the Finnish company Marine Alutech Oy Ab. This deal, completed in close cooperation with Latvia’s Ministry of Defence, will supply Lithuania with two advanced multi-purpose attack boats designed to boost the defence capabilities of the Baltic region.
This procurement marks the second phase of a broader regional effort. It builds on the technical agreement signed in 2024 by Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland, which launched joint research and development of fast, multi-role naval platforms suitable for the specific demands of the Baltic Sea region.
The boats ordered from Marine Alutech are not ordinary patrol vessels. Each will be equipped with state-of-the-art weaponry, including the SPIKE NLOS (Non-Line of Sight) missile system, capable of engaging targets up to 32 km away, and a remotely operated heavy machine gun for close defence.
These systems dramatically increase the combat potential of the Lithuanian Navy in littoral (near-shore) environments. The boats are designed to operate effectively both in open sea conditions and in extremely shallow waters, such as those found along Lithuania’s coast and in the sensitive waters of the Curonian Lagoon.
Dovilė Šakalienė, Lithuania’s Minister of National Defence, emphasized the importance of this acquisition:
“These new multi-purpose attack boats will greatly strengthen our Naval Forces, allowing for quicker and more effective responses to security threats in our region’s waters. Furthermore, this contract is a prime example of how small nations, by working together, can build a stronger, more capable defense and ensure stability and security across the entire Baltic region.”
This deal is not just about acquiring new vessels. It reflects a broader strategic goal shared by Lithuania, Latvia, and Finland — strengthening regional defence through cooperation, shared investment, and joint capability development.
Lithuania’s Defence Ministry pointed out that this is a long-term project aimed not only at improving naval power but also at deepening defence industry ties between the countries involved.
By procuring the boats jointly with Latvia and working closely with Finland’s Marine Alutech, Lithuania ensures that future maintenance, upgrades, and operational training can benefit from shared resources and knowledge across all three countries.
This model of defence cooperation is becoming increasingly important in the Baltic region, where smaller NATO allies are looking to pool their resources to counter growing regional security challenges.
The geopolitical situation in the Baltic Sea has changed dramatically over the last decade. Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, military activity in the Kaliningrad region, and its growing presence in the Baltic Sea have forced Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia to rethink their coastal defence strategies.
For Lithuania specifically, maritime defence has traditionally been a secondary priority compared to its land and air forces. However, as the threat environment evolves, the protection of its coastline, harbours, and sea lanes has become increasingly critical.
These new attack boats will play a key role in that mission. They are expected to operate across a broad area — from the Gulf of Finland in the north to the Curonian Lagoon in the south. Their speed, flexibility, and modern weapons systems will allow them to engage a wide variety of targets, including small fast boats, drones, and other asymmetric threats that are difficult to counter with larger ships.
The shallow and narrow waters of the Baltic Sea, combined with its many islands, estuaries, and inlets, present unique operational challenges for naval forces.
Marine Alutech’s boats are specifically designed for this environment. Their shallow draft allows them to maneuver where larger ships cannot. This makes them ideal for operations close to shore, in river mouths, and in confined areas where other naval platforms might struggle.
In addition to their weaponry, the boats are expected to be equipped with advanced navigation, surveillance, and communication systems, allowing them to serve both as strike platforms and as valuable assets for reconnaissance and intelligence gathering.
Beyond their military value, the deal also brings significant economic benefits for Lithuania and Latvia.
Part of the contract includes commitments to industrial cooperation. This means that Lithuanian and Latvian companies will have opportunities to participate in the supply chain, maintenance, and support for these vessels. This helps build local expertise and creates jobs in the defence sector.
Moreover, it establishes long-term supply chains that will allow Lithuania and Latvia to sustain and upgrade these platforms independently, reducing their dependence on external suppliers in future crises.
This kind of defence industrial cooperation is increasingly seen as vital, especially in light of recent global supply chain disruptions and the need for resilience in critical defence systems.
For Lithuania, the acquisition of these attack boats marks another important step in the modernization of its naval forces.
Historically, the Lithuanian Navy has focused on mine countermeasures, patrol duties, and search-and-rescue operations. Its fleet has been largely composed of second-hand vessels acquired from NATO allies.
However, the purchase of new, purpose-built attack boats signals a shift towards developing independent strike capabilities at sea. Combined with previous purchases, such as patrol vessels and tugboats, Lithuania is steadily improving its ability to defend its maritime interests.
The arrival of the new attack boats is expected in the coming years, with training and integration into the Lithuanian Navy’s operational structure to follow shortly after.
This deal is also part of a larger trend across the Baltic states. As NATO’s eastern flank, Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are facing similar security challenges and share common interests in defending the Baltic Sea region.
Joint procurements like this help these countries achieve greater capability at lower cost while fostering interoperability — a key advantage in any joint NATO operation.
Looking ahead, experts believe we will see more regional defence projects, not only in naval forces but across land and air domains as well.
With Finland now a full member of NATO, and Sweden expected to join soon, the security architecture of the Baltic Sea is changing rapidly. Lithuania’s attack boat deal with Marine Alutech, in partnership with Latvia, is a clear signal that small nations can find strength and security in smart cooperation.
