The Cabinet of Minister have agreed to the draft amendment to the National Security Strategy at a meeting today. The document will further be considered by the State Defence Council. It is the main document of the country defining Lithuania’s security and defence policy orientation and priorities of implementation of the national security policy. The document has been amended to reflect the security situation shifts in the environment around of our country. It particularly elaborates on comprehensive enhancement of national defence, increasing state resilience, public engagement and readiness for potential crises.
“Russia’s war against Ukraine and the path of enduring confrontation with the Euro-Atlantic community it has chosen has fundamentally transformed Lithuania’s security environment. We respond to the new reality by introducing a clear priority on comprehensive state defence, sustainable defence spending, Allied presence and public readiness for crises in the National Defence Strategy update. This is a strategic document which reflects the wide national consensus and Lithuania’s decision to be an active, reliable and resilient eastern NATO Ally,” said Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.
The National Security Strategy features national security policy priorities: defence spending, transatlantic relation, civic defence, defence industry, critical infrastructure security, strengthening intelligence, and military capability development.
The document lays out the 5–6% of GDP defence spending target to be reached by 2030 as agreed by the State Defence Council in order to ensure a continued proper financing for upgrading military capabilities and sustain the aid for Ukraine at 0.25% of GDP at least.
NATO collective defence commitments, U.S., German, and other Allied military presence in Lithuania and Europe are underlined as the core guarantee of Lithuania’s national security. To respond to that, Lithuania will continue working to ensure a significant Allied military presence and successful stationing of the German Brigade. Lithuania’s appreciation of the bilateral cooperation with the United States will be reflected in the effort to develop defence industry, cyber security, technology, energy, democracy, human rights and other partnerships.
Furthermore, Lithuania will continue building and strengthening coalitions of the likeminded and regional, as well as parliamentary, formats to the advantage of the security of Lithuania and our partners. Among them: the Enhanced Partnership in Northern Europe (E-PINE), U.S.-Baltic Dialogue (USBD), Nordic-Baltic Eight (NB8), Bucharest Nine NATO’s Eastern Flank Group, NATO Parliamentary Assembly, Baltic, Lublin Triangle, Three Seas Initiative.
The Strategy underscores the necessity to promote an innovative and resilient defence industry that is locked on the strategic needs of the state through transatlantic cooperation, diversification of foreign weaponry providers and partnership between the national defence industry and the Lithuanian Armed Forces.
Development of armed capabilities remains among the top priorities. Lithuania will continue focusing on the formation of 1st Division and enabling units and implementation of the NATO capability goals commitment. Lithuania will also focus on strengthening airspace and territorial sea surveillance and defence, expanding electromagnetic warfare capabilities and ensuring development of next generation CIS.
Security of critical infrastructure is among key priorities as well: in light of the current threats to the national critical infrastructure and continuity of vital functions of the state and society, Lithuania will aim to step up security and resilience through a stronger national energy independence, protection against hybrid threats, cyber security, and expanded collaboration with the Allies, particularly in regional formats.
Total defence is the fundament of the national security of Lithuania. The concept is enacted by governmental and municipal institutions, private and public sectors, and citizens in the event of armed defence side by side with the Allies. Seeking to further consistently develop the concept of comprehensive civil defence, Lithuania will enhance the capacity, resilience and readiness of government and municipal institutions.
The signature procedure was conducted in the presence of representatives of the LR President’s Office, Chancellery of the Government, all Ministries, State Security Department, and the Special Investigation Service. The process was completed in coordination with the Committees on National Security and Defence and of Foreign Affairs of the Seimas, it followed six public community and interest group (academic, security, regional, and more) consultations.
The current relevant National Security Strategy edition was passed in 2021, while the update reflects recent changes in the geopolitical situation. The Government is bound by provisions of the Law on National Security Foundations to table the draft Strategy with the Seimas once it has been approved at the State Defence Council. The draft Strategy is expected to be considered fir approval at the Seimas in the second quarter of 2026.
