The Lithuanian Armed Forces have officially received a new fleet of Unimog U5000 trucks, designed for dual crew and medical lift roles, at their Depot Service in Kaunas. Representatives from EMPL Fahrzeugwerk, Austria, and Daimler Trucks AG, Germany, formally presented the Lithuanian Armed Forces with a symbolic key to mark this acquisition milestone.
The latest truck delivery is part of a long-standing acquisition project launched several years ago. This September, the Defence Materiel Agency under the Ministry of National Defence secured an additional 51 Unimog U5000 trucks through a contract with the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), underscoring Lithuania’s commitment to enhancing its military capabilities.
“We signed the Unimog U5000 procurement contract this September, and today we proudly welcome these advanced vehicles, which are highly regarded by our troops,” said Minister of National Defence Laurynas Kasčiūnas. “The Lithuanian Armed Forces currently operates approximately 500 of these trucks, but maintaining a reliable supply for our troops remains a priority.”
The Unimog U5000 fleet will support logistical provision, personnel transport, medical evacuation, and specialist missions. This acquisition builds on a 2022 contract, with a total of over 170 trucks purchased since 2021 for a combined value of EUR 47 million, further bolstering Lithuania’s defence readiness.
NSPA representative Ozcan Gumustekin expressed satisfaction with the collaboration, stating, “NSPA is proud to support this essential project with the Lithuanian Armed Forces and stands ready to continue this partnership.”
Built for all-terrain endurance, the Unimog U5000s can navigate both paved and gravel roads and ford water obstacles up to 1.2 metres deep. Their durability makes them ideal for delivering logistical supplies to remote areas during military exercises, ensuring resilience in challenging environments.
Source: Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence.