We have adopted historical decisions at the State Defence Council, says Minister of National Defence D. Šakalienė

Friday the State Defence Council discussed the regional security situation and other important topics of national defence system development and taking up international commitments.   

Minister of National Defence Dovilė Šakalienė and Chief of Defence of Lithuania General Raimundas Vaikšnoras presented proposals for structural changes, weaponry acquisitions and financing needed for formation of the national infantry division. The decisions are critical for ensuring Lithuania has a fully developed and manned national infantry division by the end of 2030. Investment in national division will not only strengthen Lithuania’s security but will contribute to the economic development; the division will enhance Lithuania’s military might and deterrence.   

“We have taken historical decisions at the State Defence Council. It is important to understand that the adversary is swiftly and effectively developing and replenishing its capabilities, also, we are monitoring intensified hybrid attacks. We need to act as well. Today we have demonstrated a unanimous political will to have a full capacity national infantry division integrated with the NATO defence plans, therefore we will be significantly increasing defence financing. It will enable us to make advance payments, receive the required weaponry sooner, win the competition for procurement opportunity and to carry on with a fast development of military infrastructure. Lithuania is sending a strong strategic message that it is ready to use every means possible to ensure security of citizens and becomes a global leader in defence spending. We have a chance to create a safe future and we will capture it,” said Minister of Defence D. Šakalienė.

The national division will significantly increase the combat power of the Lithuanian Armed Forces, speed up modernization and facilitate integration of Lithuanian and Allied forces because many NATO Allies have or are developing division-level capabilities. A major part of the division is formed from the existing Lithuanian Land Force capabilities and their support units. It will become a national structural component of the overall NATO military capability hierarchy.  

The State Defence Council also discussed the new capability targets and commitments from NATO which will be considered and approved by the NATO Defence Ministers at the NATO Summit in the Netherlands this June together with the targets and commitments set for other Allies.

All Allies will have to implement the new NATO capability targets in the short and in the long-terms.  The new capability targets are based on the ANTO regional defence plans which were agreed to be developed in the NATO Summit in Vilnius in 2023.