According to a video published by the Lithuanian army on September 19, 2022, the infantry unit of the Lithuanian army conducts crew qualification with the new Vilka 8x8 wheeled armored IFV (Infantry Fighting Vehicle). The Vilka is based on the German-made Boxer multirole wheeled armored vehicle.
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Lithuania army soldiers conduct qualification tests with the new Vilka 8x8 wheeled IFV Infantry Fighting Vehicle. (Picture source Lithuania army)
During this qualification phase, the soldiers of the Lithuanian army will continue their training with the Vilak IFVs performing defense and offensive operations including infantry units.
The contract for the supply of the Vilka for Lithuania was signed in August 2016 and included the delivery of 84 wheeled infantry fighting vehicles and 4 command vehicles. They are now deployed with two motorized infantry battalions from the Iron Wolf motorized infantry brigade and replaced the obsolete M113 tracked APCs.
The Vilka is based on the German-made Boxer multirole wheeled armored vehicle but with an Israeli Samson Mk2 unmanned turret module manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems, armed with a 30 mm Bushmaster II Mk44S automatic cannon and a 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun, and Israeli anti-armor Spike LR missiles, as well as with other specialized equipment and electronic systems.
The Vilka keeps all the mobility components of the Boxer. The vehicle is powered by an MTU model 8V199 TE20 diesel engine developing 530 kW coupled to an Allison model HD4070 fully automatic transmission with seven forward and three reverse gears. The Boxer can run at a maximum speed of 105 km/h with a maximum cruising range of 1,000 km/h.
